For The Musical Genius

For the Musical Genius
Chapter 92
ZLOOD
2024-07-02
“Did Paganini play the piano?”
Of course, it was not uncommon for children learning music to study

the violin, piano, and even the cello together. For aristocrats,
they would increase the number of instruments for social purposes
rather than decrease them. Especially for a musician’s family.
However…
“He was as skillful as Calvin?”
It was an unbelievable story. Who was Calvin? He was one of

Czerny’s favorite students and known as Liszt’s rival pianist at
one time. However, he suffered from tendonitis and had to give up
the piano. His skills were so exceptional that it was said the
European social circles mourned the day Calvin stopped playing the
piano. Liszt himself once said that the unparalleled genius was not
him, but Calvin.
“It’s hard to believe, Maestro.”
“Calvin himself said this: If Paganini had played the piano instead
of the violin, there would have been rumors that he sold his soul
to the devil. Some say that Calvin stopped playing the piano not
because of tendonitis, but because he saw Paganini’s performance.”
Liszt fell into despair after seeing Paganini’s violin performance.
He famously resolved to become the Paganini of the piano, believing
he could never match Paganini’s performance even if he were reborn.
But what if Paganini had played the piano instead of the violin?
How would it have appeared to them?
“Maestro, with all due respect, there is no historical record of

Niccolò Paganini playing the piano, except for a brief period in
his childhood.”
“I am aware, director. This is also a story I heard from my dear

teacher when I was young. While everyone said that Paganini’s
violin techniques surpassed Pietro Locatelli, Calvin thought
differently. He believed the violin was just one of the best-suited
instruments for Paganini. No comparison could stand next to the
name Paganini.”
It is too detailed to be dismissed as mere fantasy.
“After giving up the piano, Calvin dedicated himself to teaching

future generations. He had only one student, the Russian maestro
Vasily, who was more famous as a composer than as a performer.
Incidentally, the musician I sought after being rejected by
Professor Auer was also named Vasily.” Suddenly, Jean-Pierre felt
like a bucket of cold water had been poured on his head.
“Calvin reportedly told his student, ‘Niccolò Paganini was blessed

by the god of music, not the devil. He was not only proficient in
the violin and piano.’” Gustav then gave a peculiar smile. “But in
all instruments.”
Movie sets involve numerous staff members. Like Adam Smith’s

invisible hand, the unseen efforts of countless individuals behind
the camera culminate in the finished film. In my past life, I had
visited a movie set. I was the one who solved the scandal where
directors in the film industry were caught using methamphetamine.
“Again!”
Jean-Pierre furrowed his brows. He seemed dissatisfied with the

angle captured by the camera or perhaps with the actors’
performances. It was impossible to count how many takes they had
already done. The new actor’s face was turning pale as if he hadn’t
eaten. The staff members’ expressions were also growing tense.
“It seems difficult to capture the scene where the character has to
play the piano while under the influence of hallucinogens,”
Alessandro remarked. The scene was meant to show a glimpse of the
European social circles, with a character playing an instrument
while high on drugs and indulging in debauchery, a challenging act
for a new actor.
Moreover, the scene was clearly different from what I had seen in
my previous life of Paganini.
“Mr. Alessandro, how would you act it out?”
“This scene is not something even I could easily advise on. The
actor must discover it for themselves.”
Alessandro shook his head with a regretful expression. Even a

renowned Hollywood actor licked his dry lips, so how much more
difficult must it be for a new actor?
“Let’s take a short break. Ms. Rose, please come and have a word
with me.”
In the end, it was Jean-Pierre who raised the white flag. Filming a
movie was no easy task. They had already spent several hours on a
single scene. However, none of the other actors complained because
this was a common occurrence on set.
“Noona, do you have a moment?”
It was the new actor who had just finished talking with Jean-
Pierre. She was biting her lip hard, trying to hold back her tears.
Her face was flushed with self-blame and anger. Initially, I had no
intention of helping, but what could I do? If things continued this
way, they would be stuck on this scene all day.
“Don’t think too deeply about the hallucinogen. Use your fingers
more rigidly. Just because you’re playing under the influence
doesn’t mean you should be all floppy. Instead, focus and play
madly, as if thunder is striking the keys. The drug-induced state
can be expressed through half-dressed clothes and unfocused pupils.
Oh, and don’t touch up your makeup. The half-worn look suits you
better.”
I vividly remembered the scene of Paganini from my past life. Even

though she was a new actress with a brief appearance, her acting
skills were so impressive that it became a hot topic.
Surely, this single cut could…
“This scene might change your career, noona.”
She would later become an actress who graced the Oscars.
Thud, thud, thud
Indeed, it was just one piece of advice, but the promising talent
understood my words perfectly. The sound of thunder striking the
keys and the actress’s performance created an ensemble that brought
a bright smile to Jean-Pierre’s face.
Then it happened.
“How did you do that, violinist Hyun?”
Alessandro approached me and subtly asked. I feigned ignorance and

showed a confused expression.
“I saw you giving advice to Rose earlier. I couldn’t hear what you
said, but I saw her eyes widen. Look at Director Jean-Pierre’s
face. This is the first time he’s smiled so brightly during the
entire shoot. What kind of magic did you use to change her acting
so dramatically?”
Before I could answer…
“Could it be that you have an eye for acting as well as you do for
violin posture?” Alessandro continued to misunderstand.
“An invitation?”
It was an invitation to dinner from the eternal maestro, Gustav.

Starting with Director Jean-Pierre, Alessandro, Martina, myself,
and Director Im Hyera, everyone received an invitation with their
names on it. The invitation was sealed with red wax, much like
those from the medieval era, and written in elegant handwriting.
It clearly reflected Gustav’s character.

“Hyun-ah, does this dress look okay?”
Director Im Hyera was already busy worrying about the dress code.
It was clear she was here for a vacation rather than as a guardian.
“Hyun-ah, try this on and show me.”
I felt like I had gone back to my childhood. Director Im Hyera kept

bringing me outfits to try on, and I had lost count of how many
suits I had changed into. It seemed so unnecessary, but her serious
expression made it feel like we were going to an awards ceremony.
“We’ve arrived.”
Seeing Gustav’s mansion through the car window, I couldn’t help but
be amazed. As expected of the eternal maestro, whose mansion was
the envy of violinists worldwide. It was grander than any hotel,
reminiscent of Poland’s Moszna Castle. Even Director Im Hyera let
out a shallow exclamation at the magnificent sight.
“Huh?”
I couldn’t help but exclaim when I saw Alessandro’s suit. He looked

exactly like me. The brand and even the color of the handkerchief
were the same, clearly tailored from the same place. However, the
size difference was obvious. It looked like a young father and son.
At that moment…
“It seems the two Paganinis are in sync.”
Actress Martina covered her mouth and laughed heartily. I wanted to

shout that this suit was Director Im Hyera’s taste, not mine, but I
held back.
The butler led us to a dining hall that evoked the opulence of the
medieval era.
“There’s not much prepared, but please enjoy.”
Gustav, in a wheelchair, greeted us. Despite his words, the table

was lavishly set with a feast. The variety of dishes was so
overwhelming that it was hard to decide where to start.
As for the wine, it was the Grand Emitamire, a top-tier Austrian

wine. Among sommeliers, it was known as the water droplets of the
gods, comparable to Romanée-Conti.
Pouring sound
However, what the butler poured for me was grape juice, not wine.
Who would understand this yearning heart? I consoled myself with
the grape juice.
“My father is from Austria. So today, I’ve prepared Viennese home-

style cuisine. The chef has been responsible for my taste for a
long time, and I can assure you that his cooking skills are second
to none, even compared to hotel chefs. He’s an irreplaceable friend
to me. Although he always nags me to quit wine.”
With Gustav’s joke, the dinner began.
Just as Gustav said, the food was delicious, surpassing even

Michelin-starred chefs. Even Director Im Hyera, who had a gourmet
palate, looked visibly happy.
At that moment, Gustav, smiling like a kind grandfather, looked at

me.
“Does the young maestro find the food to his taste?”
“It’s an honor to be invited, Maestro. Especially this special

sauce with the Tafelspitz is amazing. My tongue is still in awe.”
Tafelspitz is an Austrian traditional dish made by boiling rump

beef with root vegetables and serving it with roasted potatoes.
Although I had eaten it a few times in my past life, this was the
first time I had tasted Tafelspitz with such a special sauce.
“You know about Austria’s representative dish? It seems the young

maestro has experienced Tafelspitz before?”
“I once had it at a restaurant serving Austrian cuisine in Russia.

The memory is still vivid.”
My quick thinking seemed to be getting better. By the time the

sweat on my back dried, dinner was over.
The beautiful teacups for dessert each had a flower petal floating
in them.
“This villa in Italy was a building I painstakingly constructed. It

was designed in the 17th-century Baroque style so that the sound of
instruments would resonate deeply and richly even indoors. But
alas, by the time the villa was completed, my shoulder troubled me.
I could no longer play the violin.”
It was a tragic story. But the passage of time was inevitable.
At that moment, Gustav turned his head slightly toward me.
“Young maestro, would you be so kind as to perform for us here?”
It was a sudden request, but how could I refuse? Especially after

being invited to such a grand feast. I readily accepted and stood
up. However, I hadn’t brought my violin.
“No need to worry, there are plenty of instruments in my villa.”

As soon as he finished speaking, several instrument cases were

brought out. Not only violins but also many unique instruments. It
felt like looking at a string instrument museum.
As mentioned earlier, it truly lived up to the name of the eternal

maestro Gustav’s villa.
“Maestro, may I use this instrument?”
“You have a good eye. ‘Lyra’ is a good choice, as it is an ancient

stringed instrument similar to the violin. It’s well-maintained and
still produces sound. For a musician, there’s nothing more blessed
than the ability to play all instruments.”
As the name suggested, it was a very old instrument. Such an

instrument could only be played here, so I couldn’t miss the
opportunity.
Gustav watched me with a peculiar smile.
Chapter 93
ZLOOD
2024-07-02
The instrument was said to be played by Apollo, the god of music.
Like the figure of a beautiful woman without a thread of clothing,

the smooth connection between the crossbar and the sounding board
was unparalleled. It felt like looking at an enchanting ancient
painting. The moment the fingers gently caressed the strings as if
sliding on ice.
“Wow.”
The melody that naturally elicited admiration rang out. Although it

must not have been played for a long time, the clear and pure sound
resonated. The strings were made of gut twisted in a traditional
way. As they were made from the intestines of dead animals, the
sound was quite different from that of metal strings. The melody
was rich and natural even without artificial vibrato.
I didn’t know how to play it. I didn’t even know how to tune the
lyre’s notes, so what was the point in saying more? But my fingers
naturally moved between the gut strings. The lyre, held carefully
as if cradling a newborn baby, proudly revealed its long-suppressed
pure voice. It was the same principle as when I first played the
violin. It felt as if I had become one with the lyre. Wasn’t the
sound of my pounding heart gradually making the strings gleam?
Notes were being drawn on the pure white blank space. Like drawing
a fermata on the double bar, my fingers stopped only after the last
melody echoed.
Jiiing―!
The high ceiling built in the Baroque style echoed. The faces of
those who had become the audience by now were clearly filled with
regret. Surely, their whole bodies would be filled with the
lingering beautiful melody. I carefully turned my head to look at
Alessandro.
“Shouldn’t we listen to another performance of Paganini this time?”
Alessandro hurriedly put down his glass with a flustered face. At

that moment, Gustav nodded with a peculiar smile.
“Like the young maestro said, I’d also like to hear Alessandro’s
performance. The Paganini Caprice I heard on the film set was truly
wonderful.”
Alessandro’s face gradually turned red. It was because of the

praise from Gustav, the eternal maestro. Although he was quite a
renowned actor in Hollywood, he couldn’t help but be in awe in
front of his idol.
Alessandro stood up with a stiff posture, like a robot that had

frozen. Surely, his mind must have gone blank like a white canvas.
“Lower your left shoulder a bit more and bend the wrist of your
left hand holding the strings. Your grip on the bow is too stiff
right now, isn’t it? If you bow in this state, it will make a
scraping sound. Instead, try loosening your grip as if you are
about to drop the bow. The right amount of strength will naturally
come in when you touch the strings.”
Was it an illusion that everyone’s attention was focused on me?

Although Alessandro had experienced such corrections several times
on the film set and was familiar with them, the others were not.
Especially Gustav’s expression subtly changed.
“How can the young maestro give such advice? Even I, who have
played the violin for many years, find it hard to recognize a
violinist’s personal characteristics at once.”
It was only natural for him to be puzzled. Even I didn’t know how I
could see such things. Would he believe me if I said that
customized postures suited to individuals, rather than standardized
formal ones, just naturally appeared before my eyes? It was at that
moment.
“Do you just see it?”
The eternal maestro asked as if he had read my mind. Before I could

nod, the maestro smiled faintly as if he knew it all along.
Sizzle―!
The familiar smell tickling my nose made me feel as if I were in

Korea. Because of the wine I had indulged in last night, the
maestro had offered his guests a room. There’s a saying in Italy
that they offer the master bedroom to noble guests.
Then, Director Im Hyera went a step further and loudly declared she
would serve breakfast.
“Madam, were you a chef in Korea?”
People would think that conglomerates don’t let a drop of water

touch their hands. But the bridal training in conglomerate families
is no joke, so her cooking skills must be exceptional.
It was understandable that the chef was surprised. The table was
set with a fusion of Korean traditional meal and French cuisine
that Director Im Hyera liked. It was nothing short of a fusion of
East and West.
“I remember eating this dish very deliciously when I visited Korea

before. Wasn’t it called bulgogi? But Mrs. Im’s bulgogi is much
tastier. It’s like magic.”
Gustav enjoyed every single dish made by Director Im Hyera as if he

were in a high-end restaurant. Others were no different, expressing
admiration for her unexpected cooking skills.
“Hyun, Yooha is also very good at cooking like her aunt.”
Director Im Hyera said, looking at me meaningfully. I pretended not

to hear and kept moving my fork. I couldn’t afford to be tied down
by Director Im Hyera after Chairman Wang.
As soon as the meal was over, teacups with flower petals floating
in them were served as if waiting.
Although I had experienced many kinds of black tea, including those

supplied to the British royal family, none could compare to this
place.
“Did you say the next filming location is Venice?”
Isn’t it the famous city of water? When Jean-Pierre replied

affirmatively, Gustav showed a peculiar smile.
“There should be a festival around this time.”
Then Gustav looked at me and continued.
“Paganini liked masks with red feathers.”
What was he talking about?

After staying one more day in Rome, we headed to Venice, Italy.

Director Im Hyera seemed very excited about the mask festival
tonight. It seemed she was now ready to fully enjoy the trip.
The sunlight pouring through the car window made me close and open
my eyes unconsciously.
“We have arrived.”
It was a city known as the culmination of Renaissance art. The

water city, which seemed to touch the sea, mesmerized the viewers.
The songs of gondoliers constantly pierced my ears, and wide

windows together with the doors always touched the water surface.
Who would know that beneath this antique city lay countless piles?
“Hyun, did you say the filming is in two days?”
“Yes, that’s why the president asked us to come early.”
It was all because of the mask festival. Director Im Hyera seemed

to have been deeply impressed by the mask ball scenes in European
films.
In the past, when Venice was at its peak, mask balls were held
almost every day.
The origin of this mask ball was said to have started with the
slaves hiding their identities and enjoying a day of freedom.
Eventually, it turned into the indulgence of the aristocrats.
“Hmm, Hyun. There are no masks with red feathers?”
It seemed Director Im Hyera also remembered Gustav’s words.

However, all the famous masks were already sold out in the mask
shops in Venice. The only ones left were the basic masks, like
Bauta.
But since I had no intention of participating in the mask festival

anyway, it was enough for me.
“Oh, the young friend chose Bauta. You have a great eye. All the
famous people in Venice loved to wear Bauta. Even Paganini of Genoa
enjoyed wearing Bauta.”
I tried hard to suppress my laughter at the shop owner’s sales

pitch.
Surely, Paganini must have owned many masks besides the one with
red feathers.
“Maestro, you should stop now, really.”

As Gustav poured wine, the chef started nagging as if waiting. Each

time, Gustav would smile faintly and joke, “I don’t have many days
left to live, so what’s so important about health?”
“They must have arrived in Venice by now.”
Gustav sipped his wine and looked out the window. The day was
already getting dark.
The reason he didn’t head to Venice was simple. He wasn’t needed on

the film set.
Though he had gone to give musical advice, it was more about

hearing Kang Hyun’s performance.
“Yasha, did you see that young friend who resembles you?”
The genius violin skills and the ability to correct someone’s

posture instantly reminded him so much of Yasha Heifetz, who had
made him feel inferior and hit a wall in his younger days.
Gustav realized that the wine tasted particularly good today. It

must have been because he felt as if he had returned to his youth.
“Choi, could you please bring the lyre?”
At Gustav’s words, the butler immediately brought the lyre. It was

in an old case. Despite not having produced a melody for a long
time, it emitted a beautiful voice from the strings.
He had said he didn’t know how to play it, but didn’t his hands
naturally move?
Gustav carefully held the lyre. It was then.
“How could this be?”
Gustav’s eyes widened as he examined the lyre. The butler was very
curious but didn’t ask. At that moment, Gustav burst into hearty
laughter.
The sudden laughter from Gustav puzzled not only the butler but
also the chef.
‘Has the maestro ever laughed so heartily before?’ they seemed to

be saying.
“The sounding board is broken.”
The back of the sounding board, which should have amplified the
resonance of the strings, was broken in several places.
To such an extent, the sound wouldn’t properly resonate and would

leak out like a bottomless jar.
Yet, how did it produce such a beautiful melody?
Wow―!
It was the last day of the mask festival, coinciding with our
visit.
The surface of the water shook with the cheers of people and the
fireworks brilliantly decorating the night sky.
Every year around this time, the festival was held at St. Mark’s
Basilica. It was such a big event that even broadcasting stations
came to film.
“Hyun, don’t I look good, aunt?”
At a glance, she looked like a peacock with its feathers raised.

The inside of the basilica was already crowded with masked people.
‘Tsk.’
This is why I didn’t want to come out, but there was no way to
resist Director Im Hyera’s persistence.
Instead of a priest, musicians were performing on the podium of the

basilica.
As I listened to the music, my steps naturally led me deeper into

the basilica.
Huh?
At that moment, I saw a crying child. Though sitting down with a

mask on, the sniffing and wiping of tears were evident.
Should I just pass by? But the sorrowful crying kept drawing my
attention.
“Why are you crying?”
“I have to play the piano soon. But I can’t play. I’m scared and
don’t want to go on stage. But if I don’t go up, I’ll surely get
scolded.”
Though unfamiliar with Italian, basic communication wasn’t an

issue. It seemed the child was frozen with fear due to the crowd.
“Shall I play for you?”
I don’t know why I said that. Maybe it was the child’s teardrops
like chicken poop.
The child handed me their mask and black cloak as if waiting,

saying, “Really?”
It was a mask with red feathers. Since we had similar builds, it

fit perfectly.
I thought it was a boy, but when I took off the mask, it was
clearly a tall girl who seemed likely to break many hearts in the
future.
“Serena, it’s time to go up.”
The host who arrived just in time guided me by the hand to the
podium.
What piece should I play?
Come to think of it, I didn’t hear the selection due to the rush.
The basilica was now bustling with people.
A regular melody wouldn’t capture their excited hearts.
Suddenly, the man who aspired to be the Paganini of the piano came
to mind. As soon as I thought of him, my fingers naturally moved to
the keyboard.
Dudududung―!
As the first melody echoed, the surrounding attention was instantly

drawn.
Since the girl and I were of similar build, there was no difficulty
in pressing the pedals. My fingers danced on the keyboard as if
sliding.
It was Liszt’s La Campanella, a high-pitched part newly arranged

for piano from 24 Caprices for Solo Violin, ringing out like the
sound of bells.
Thinking of the man who aspired to be like Paganini, this time I

was pressing the keys instead of the strings.
Each note had a different strength at the fingertips. The breath

while pressing the pedals and the shoulders trembling with the
melody turned into waves at the fingertips.
The girl watched with her mouth open, and so did the rest of the
masked audience.
Chapter 94
ZLOOD
2024-07-02
Didn’t a French poet once say that the dawn in Venice is a jewel
that cannot be exchanged for anything? When a single beam of
reddish light pierces through the twilight and warms the surface,
it naturally mesmerizes the eyes. The spire of the Salute Church
shines, and it feels like the aria of a gondolier is touching your
ears. Sitting by the wide windowsill and gazing at the scene makes
you want to pick up a violin. Surely, Paganini, who visited the
city of water hundreds of years ago, felt the same way.
“Hyun, time for breakfast.”
Although they could have used the hotel, Im Hyera, the chairwoman,
insisted on renting a villa. The villa, touching the canal like a
noble’s retreat, was full of classic charm. As I went down to the
first floor with a towel around my neck, a savory smell tickled my
nose. Im Hyera’s secretary was already bustling around. One might
wonder why someone so highly educated would do such things, but it
was because they had an unfortunate boss.
“What is all this?”
“Oh, Minhee is going to eat with us too, so I made plenty. Hyun,

you’re going to be out in the field starting today, and how can I
send you off with just bread at your growing age? I tried to show
off my skills a bit. Believe it or not, I almost went abroad to
study cooking instead of art back in the day.”
It was a spread of Korean dishes starting with kimchi stew. With a

lavish array that could rival a traditional Jeolla province meal,
anyone would think they were at a Korean restaurant. At that
moment, Im Hyera smiled triumphantly and said, “They say a mother-
in-law’s love is for her son-in-law.” I pretended not to hear and
sat down. I was already craving Korean food, and thanks to the
chairwoman, I could eat Korean food in a foreign country. With such
culinary skills, her story about studying cooking abroad wasn’t a
lie.
As I was nearly finishing my bowl of rice,
“Hyun, do you remember the girl who played the piano at the mask
festival?”
“Well, it was so crowded that I don’t remember well.”
“That girl played so well that a professor from the Verdi Music
Academy, who was at the cathedral that day, went to find her.”
I almost choked on my water.
“And then?”
“Well, she said she didn’t actually play. It turns out someone
else, wearing her mask and a black cape, played on her behalf
because she was too nervous. She couldn’t remember the face due to
the confusion. Who could that pianist who played La Campanella be?”
It was a relief. I had acted impulsively, so they wouldn’t find me

since she couldn’t remember the face. At that moment, Im Hyera
looked at me with a peculiar gaze. “Hyun, it was you, wasn’t it?”
A thick drop of sweat ran down my back.
Venice, in Latin, means “come ceaselessly.” As the etymology

suggests, the city of water is always overflowing with tourists,
and today was no different. The filming site was packed with
people. If it were an outdoor shoot instead of an indoor one, it
would have been problematic. Especially young female students were
standing in line, likely because of Hollywood’s handsome actor,
Alessandro.
“Alessandro, after the shoot, you should take some photos with the
girls waiting outside. The assistant director said they’ve been
waiting since morning.”
It was actress Martina. She seemed a bit envious of Alessandro.

Having fans who adore you is a great comfort to actors, just like
musicians need an audience.
“Alessandro, how much have you practiced the violin?”
I was surprised to see Alessandro’s fingertips. In just a few days,

they were covered with calluses, and the grip of his right hand,
which held the bow, was the same. He must have practiced day and
night.
Seeing my reaction, Alessandro grinned cheekily and touched his

nose.
“Normally, I would have read the script over and over, but since
I’m playing Paganini, I had to practice the violin just as much.
Especially with such an outstanding teacher, I couldn’t slack off.”
“Then, show me your posture.”
It felt awkward to musically evaluate someone, but if not for his

chronic illness, Alessandro would have been a renowned musician
like Baek Junghoon. He was visibly trying to master the posture I
had taught him as quickly as possible.
“The piece you will play in this shoot is Paganini’s Violin

Concerto No. 1.”
I could see Alessandro’s Adam’s apple move. As someone who majored

in violin, he knew how significant it was to perform with an
orchestra, especially with Paganini’s Violin Concerto No. 1, known
as the pinnacle of his legacy. The concerto is a dazzling display
of technique, featuring continuous arpeggios, spiccato, and double
stops, truly the peak of virtuosity. No wonder Belgian violinist
Henri Vieuxtemps became an ardent admirer of Paganini after just

one performance.
“Since you’ll be wearing a mask, it will feel different from usual.

If I were Paganini, I would ignore the conductor’s cues. Just enter
as your heart leads. The confusion of the conductor and
concertmaster will add to the charm. Paganini’s performance was the
beginning of a legend.”
Niccolò Paganini’s appearance was a paradigm shift in the music

world that had lasted for centuries. His arrival brought cheers
from countless audiences and despair to many musicians.
At that moment,
“Wow―!”
Through the slightly open door, I heard the cheers of the girls.
Was it just my imagination, or did Alessandro grip the violin
tighter and put on a serious face?
Ziiing.
It was the performance of Paganini at the masquerade ball. The

sight of Alessandro bowing so intensely that the red feathers
seemed to scatter was awe-inspiring.
‘Amazing.’
His determination surpassed even mine in my previous life, where I

was called a fanatic. Surely, Alessandro still harbored a deep love
for the violin. Seeing him drenched in sweat, I stood up. It was my
turn to perform.
“Hyun―!”
Just as I was about to leave after finishing all the filming, the
girls who had been waiting outside the set called my name in
unison. Alessandro, who was about to take photos with them, looked
at me in bewilderment.
“Are they calling me?”
I was just as bewildered. The girls nodded collectively and ran

toward me.
“We are undergraduates from the Verdi Music Academy. We came to

take a photo since we heard Violinist Hyun was coming to Venice.
We’ve been ardent fans since Brussels. We even brought the
‘Beautiful Life’ album! Can we get your autograph?”
Who would have thought I had fans waiting for me in a foreign

country? I had hardly been active as a violinist lately. My face
flushed, and my lips felt parched. At that moment, Alessandro
gently nudged my back.
“Hyun, taking photos with fans is a memorable moment.” Alessandro,

already posing like a photographer with a film camera.
“Do you really not remember?”
It was a voice full of earnestness.
“I really don’t.”
“No, Serena. Take your time and think about it. You might suddenly
remember the face.”
When the girl finally shook her head, the old professor raised his
hands and rubbed his face. The regret was evident in his wrinkled
eyes. The La Campanella he heard at San Marco Cathedral that day
had rekindled his old heart. The delicate and dramatic performance
was enough to make one doubt their eyes and ears.
‘Virtuoso.’
It wasn’t a conventional performance. It was as if they had decided

to emulate Liszt, playing with variations rather than precise
tempo. Especially the subtle emotions conveyed from the fingertips
felt like tears would fall at any moment.
“Serena, tell me about the situation that day.”
“He appeared like magic when I was crying.”
“Sigh.”
The old professor sighed lightly. Judging by the build, it wasn’t

an adult. Yet, to have played Liszt’s La Campanella perfectly in
front of such a large audience with confidence and charisma meant
they were no ordinary person. The sight of the noisy crowd becoming
a single audience was like a scene from a movie.
“Was it a girl?”
Given the skill and boldness, it was more fitting to think of a

female pianist than a boy. But the girl firmly shook her head.
“Serena, take your time and think again. Is there anything else you
remember about the person with the red-feathered mask that day?”
The old professor wanted to meet the pianist once more. They had
reignited the dried-up passion in his heart as a pianist. At that
moment, the girl, who had been furrowing her brow, suddenly lifted
her head.
“Ah, right.”
“Yes! What do you remember?”

The man wearing the red-feathered mask and playing the piano. The
fluttering black cape felt like the black keys of the piano, and
his faintly smiling lips shone like the white keys. What memory did
La Campanella leave in the girl’s mind that day?
“It was really deep and clear.”
His eyes.
“An invitation from the Mayor of Venice?”
Indeed, it was a movie depicting the biography of the renowned

Italian musician Niccolò Paganini. Moreover, it was being filmed in
Venice. Today’s shoot would undoubtedly enhance Venice’s reputation
as a tourist destination. Thanks to that, we received an invitation
to a banquet hosted by the mayor.
‘They probably just need Alessandro and Martina.’
Politicians worldwide loved taking photos. Moreover, Alessandro and

Martina were famous Hollywood actors. I felt like a mere extra, but
it didn’t matter. I would have preferred a bustling crowd. It would
give me a chance to sneak a glass of champagne.
“Nice to meet you. I am Salvatore Casani, the Mayor of Venice. It’s

an honor to have the Paganini film crew at the banquet. Venice has
always generously shared its water with distinguished guests. This
time, it’s not water but drinks and food. I hope you enjoy the
banquet I’ve prepared.”
In the past, Venice was known as the city of water but had
difficulty obtaining drinking water. They even purified rainwater
for use, making drinking water precious. Sharing purified water was
a significant gesture.
At that moment,
Huh?
My eyes met those of the girl standing next to the mayor.
“By the way, this is my daughter, Serena. Serena, greet the

director and actors.”
The girl bowed her head with a surprised look and kept glancing at
me. She seemed unsure.
I subtly turned my head as if nothing had happened. It was obvious

that revealing I was the one who played the piano at San Marco
Cathedral would be troublesome.
“Serena, it seems you’ve made a mistake. That person is a

violinist.”
I could clearly hear the girl talking to an elderly gentleman. The

old man, a professor at the Verdi Music Academy, recognized my face
and shook his head sadly.
“She must have mistaken Violinist Hyun for the man she saw that day
because they are of similar height. It is difficult to become such
an outstanding musician focusing on just one instrument. Unless
you’re Mozart, that is. Please calm down and try to recall more.”
Perhaps because I was a musician, my hearing was sharp, or maybe

because the professor had a clear, low voice. I unintentionally
eavesdropped, but what could I do? I had to continue pretending not
to know. However, I occasionally felt Serena’s lingering gaze. In
any case,
‘Tsk.’
Chapter 95
ZLOOD
2024-07-02
“How is the atmosphere on the set?”
The crimson leaves gently settled down.
“It has already been three months since the first crank-in.
However, the atmosphere on the set is heating up more and more each
day. After all, who would find it hard to listen to a live
performance by Paganini? Some even feel regretful because we’re
shooting so many performance scenes in a row. You know, you should
savor the sweet things.”
The bitter espresso felt sweeter than ever.
“Is there a reason for filming the performance scenes all at once?”
“Our Paganini is still a student, so it can’t be helped. He has to

return to Korea before winter comes.”
Adam Whishaw nodded with a faint smile. He understood the

director’s regretful gaze. Listening to his performance felt as if
Paganini had come back to life.
“Are there any special episodes that happened during the shoot?”
Jean-Pierre showed clear signs of contemplation on his face.
Was it because there were no episodes? Oh no, there would be

episodes created constantly when you’re with him. After all, isn’t
he a violinist who inspires just by being there?
“There was a time we shot a special scene in Germany. It was a

scene of Paganini performing on a rocking boat. For simultaneous
recording, it could have been done on stable ground, but Hyun
insisted on performing on the rocking boat.”
“So, what happened?”
“The large boat rocked like a cradle, but Hyun’s posture was as
natural as water flowing. The melody that pierced our ears was
unparalleled. Everyone must have thought the same thing in
disbelief. That Paganini’s legend was being reenacted before our
eyes. Of course, we captured this as making film footage as well.”
Although Adam wanted to check the making film footage right away,
there were still questions left to ask. He reluctantly put aside
his regret and fiddled with his pen and notebook.
“Is it true that a Guarneri is being used on set?” “It hasn’t been
used yet, though.”
“Does that mean there are plans to use it?”
“There are many stories about how Niccolò Paganini got the Guarneri
‘Cannon’. Some say he received it as a gift from a noble, others
say he got it through an auction, or even through gambling.
However, it is known that his first performance was clearly for one
person.”
Jean-Pierre eagerly awaited the upcoming melody of the Guarneri.

“For the woman he loved.”
“Imagine you’re holding a small golf ball.”
“Like, like this?”
It felt more like a private lesson than a movie shoot.
Thanks to this, I became quite close with the actors. I never

imagined I would become close like siblings with a famous Hollywood
actor. It was something unimaginable in my previous life.
“Instead of thinking about drawing with force, think of the bow as

just brushing past the string. You always unconsciously put too
much strength in your right index finger when bowing.”
“Hyun, can you really see that?”
“Most famous violinists would probably notice it too. The sound

produced when you draw the bow is different. It’s rough, like
someone walking hastily.”
To ordinary ears, it might sound the same. It was a subtle

difference but one that sharp ears could not miss.
Alessandro gulped and took his stance. He had been taking my

lessons for several months. Now, he would believe anything I said,
even if I told him to make soy sauce from red beans.
After slowly lifting the bow and smoothly drawing it across the
string, I asked, “How is it? Isn’t bowing much easier?”
Alessandro’s face was filled with astonishment.
“Hyun, you always manage to surprise me. Every doctor said I’d
never be able to play the violin freely again. At this rate, I
might even be able to enter the Queen Elisabeth Competition!”
“You might be restricted by the age limit, though.”
Indeed, Alessandro’s violin skills had improved to the point where

the phrase “rapid progress” was an apt description.
He was originally a music student who loved the violin. Teaching

him was quite satisfying, so I often played the violin with
Alessandro on days without shooting.
The same went for Baek Junghoon. Was I always this thrilled to
teach others?
I even thought I should open a violin academy instead of suggesting

my mother start a soy sauce marinated crab business.
“Hyun, are you bringing the Guarneri to the next shoot?”
Alessandro’s face was brimming with excitement. And why not,

considering it was a Guarneri. It was a famous instrument regarded
as one of the three great violins, so it was irresistibly
attractive to any violinist. But.
“I’m having second thoughts.”
“Why?”
“No one knows what piece Paganini first performed with the
Guarneri.”
It was his first performance for the woman he loved. Some claimed
he played a famous composer’s piece, while others insisted he
performed a serenade.
Moreover, it was a scene that didn’t exist in the movies I saw in

my past life. It must have been a butterfly effect caused by
Fiore’s appearance. In any case.
“Hyun, why are you overthinking this? Director Jean-Pierre didn’t

entrust everything to you without reason. The way you’ve embodied
Paganini over the past three months is the real deal. He must have
added the scene after much consideration. Just play whatever you
want!”
It seemed Alessandro had already become one of my ardent fans.

“Hyun-ah, are you not going back to Korea again this time? Should I
go back alone again?”
It had been three long months of continuous movie shooting.

Although we were filming scenes of Niccolò Paganini’s performances,
there were so many performance scenes that there was hardly any
time to rest.
Even though Im Hyera went back to Korea occasionally during

holidays, I stayed in Italy. The reason was simple.
“I have to stay on set until all simultaneous recordings are

finished.”
It was a job under contract, and I couldn’t be careless just

because I was young. Im Hyera seemed to have expected this and
smiled contentedly.
“I’ve already spoken to the school. But Hyun, I heard you ranked
first in the whole school for the final exams of the first
semester? The principal was so pleased. Not only do you bring fame
to the school, but you also excel in your studies.”
In my previous life, I was known as a die-hard at the Judicial

Research and Training Institute. How could I falter on middle
school problems? It would be a waste of my upgraded software.
“But aren’t you curious about what’s going on in Korea?”
How could I not be curious? It must be in the throes of the

financial crisis. Moreover, there was no news or a single newspaper
in Italy that could inform me about Korea’s situation. But by now,
probably.
“Has the government requested financial aid?”
Im Hyera’s eyes widened like saucers. She must not have expected me
to guess it correctly.
The financial crisis had arrived about a year earlier than in my

previous life. Originally, the request for financial aid should
have been made a year later, but the timing was right now. Besides,
if you’re going to get hit, it’s better to get hit early. At that
moment.
Outside the car window, a building shining like crystal came into
view. My heart began to race again. It was the auction house where
the Guarneri was kept.
The auctioneer who had greeted us before came out to guide us.
As we walked, I explained the next shoot’s storyboard to Im Hyera.
“No one knows what piece Paganini played?”

There were no such records in Paganini’s diary kept in Genoa, nor

had I seen such a scene in any movie in my previous life, so it was
natural to feel anxious.
The unwavering trust of Director Jean-Pierre and the actors made

the burden on my shoulders heavier. What piece did Paganini play?
At that moment.
“Hyun-ah, should we ask the auctioneer? He seems quite

knowledgeable. And he’s a native Italian.”
As someone who had overseen the auction of antique artworks for a

long time, his depth of knowledge would undoubtedly be different.
Without waiting for my response, Im Hyera was already conversing
with the auctioneer. Soon after.
“Violinist Hyun, if you don’t mind, may I offer a suggestion?”
The auctioneer cautiously began. He was an elderly auctioneer who

had listened to my Guarneri performance before. He had been very
kind to me. This time too, he smiled warmly like a kind
grandfather.
“There is an Italian proverb that says, ‘When you see the woman you
love, a song naturally flows from your eyes.’ Maybe it was the same
for Paganini? He probably didn’t decide on a piece in advance. The
moment he saw her, the melody must have come to him naturally.”
I bowed my head and thanked him. ‘There seems to be a hint in his

words.’
However.
“Hmm, a performance for the woman he loved.”
Why did Im Hyera’s expression look unusual?
The reason Niccolò Paganini gave his Guarneri the name “Cannon” was
simple. Even if the bow barely grazed the strings, the melody would
resonate long and high. It was such a sensitive instrument that it
was said no one but Paganini could handle it.
My Fiore was the same.
Thump, thump, thump.
Just holding the bow made my heart race. Like when I performed
before, it seemed eager to unleash the melody it had been holding
back.
If Paganini’s Cannon boasted long and high notes, Fiore boasted

deep and splendid tones. The moment the string and bow met,
everyone would know. But.
“Hyun, are you not ready yet? Shall we take a break and continue
later?”
I still couldn’t decide what piece to play. I gave a slight nod in

response to Jean-Pierre’s question.
Even the staff seemed visibly excited by the appearance of the

Guarneri.
I stood on a set that perfectly recreated the Genoa concert hall

where Paganini had first played the Guarneri.
‘The woman he loved.’
Who should I think of? Looking back on my previous life, I had

never loved anyone romantically. Even my marriage was more of a
stepping stone to success.
Suddenly, someone flashed through my mind. A girl who cherished the

blue hairpin I gave her like a treasure.
“Director.”
At my brief word, Jean-Pierre immediately nodded. We could

understand each other with just a glance now.
I carefully lifted the bow. Among the countless scores I had

written, there was one inspired by that girl.
Zing.
The moment the bow touched the string, was it an illusion that a
cold breeze blew? The string gleamed as if a small hand was tugging
at my sleeve, and it produced a joyful melody.
My left hand, which was pressing the strings, moved continuously,

reminiscing old memories.
The harmonics resonated like the girl’s clear voice, and sometimes
the trills depicted the girl’s quick steps.
Zing―!
At that moment, Fiore’s melody reached the ceiling. Although the

piece lacked form, my bowing quickened as I neared the finale.
Plucking the string with my left hand to express the throbbing

heartbeat, I created a brilliant sound with my right hand holding
the bow.
Fiore’s beautiful melody enhanced the performance, so there was no

need for further words.
The audience couldn’t close their mouths, captivated by the

delightful performance until the bow reluctantly parted from the
string.
“Huh?”
Was it a dream, or was it because I played too passionately? Could

it be that Fiore, preserved for centuries, had a talent unknown to
me?
With countless questions on my mind, I slowly lifted the bow. The

direction it pointed to was.
“Yooha?”
Chapter 96
ZLOOD
2024-07-02
“Your melody is very impressive.”
It’s hard to believe he’s an actor.
“If I hadn’t confirmed it was Mr. Alessandro’s face, I would have

definitely thought a professional violinist was performing.”
“You flatter me, Editor.”
“But is it true that you picked up the violin again after more than
ten years? Your posture is so seasoned that I’d believe you
practice every day. I think Director Jean-Pierre cast the role
perfectly.”
Alessandro ran his fingers over his dry lips and looked down at his
fingers. His eyes were filled with countless emotions.
His fingertips were so calloused from pressing the strings over and
over that one would believe he was a violinist.
“It’s all thanks to my teacher.”
“Your teacher?”
“Yes, I’m talking about the violinist Hyun. If it weren’t for Hyun,
I wouldn’t have been able to play the violin again. He’s the one
who fixed my broken fingers that no doctor could mend. The credit
for Director Jean-Pierre’s keen eye goes not to me but to Hyun.
Without him, this movie wouldn’t have been completed.”
Adam Whishaw swallowed his admiration.

Alessandro was known in Hollywood for his strong pride. But when he
talked about Hyun, his eyes were filled with admiration.
Adam had seen such eyes before. They were just like the eyes of
fellow violinists who had been with Hyun at the chapel.
“Where is Hyun now?”
“He’s not on set today. It’s a day without any violin scenes.”
“Really? Then what’s that in your hand, Mr. Alessandro?”
“Oh, I’m practicing because I enjoy it. Since I’m playing the role
of Paganini, I have to practice constantly, don’t I? Otherwise, I
wouldn’t feel worthy to meet my teacher. Even though Hyun is small,
his charisma is immense.”
Just my luck, I came to the filming site to hear Hyun play, only to
find he wasn’t here. I should have asked Director Jean-Pierre about
the schedule.
At that moment, Alessandro gave a peculiar smile and began to

speak. “Hyun is probably.”
“Probably?”
Just then, a bell seemed to ring from somewhere.
“On a date.”
“Oppa―!”
What a familiar voice. The child who used to run to me and tug at
my sleeves had grown into a girl almost my height.
Though the square was crowded, it wasn’t hard to spot Son Yooha.
She looked like she was about to run and hug me at any moment.
I looked down at my wristwatch and then raised my head.
“Why are you so late?”
“Oppa, don’t you know it’s rude to tell a lady she’s late?”
Does everyone become this cheeky after studying abroad for a long
time?
If I had known, I would have just met her in front of the hotel and
come out together; why did I insist on meeting at the square?
A woman’s heart is hard to understand. Anyway.

“Why are you wearing such thin clothes?”
A fluttery dress with just a thin cardigan. It might be fine in the

warm afternoon, but as soon as the sun sets, it gets chilly in the
Italian autumn.
At that moment, Son Yooha pouted her lips, making a sulky face.
“It’s a date―!”
A date?
This cheeky kid, but I barely held back a chuckle. The Ice Queen’s
expression was serious.
Her eyes, reminiscent of a cat, looked like they would peck at me

at any moment. In a way, it was very cute.
“Wow, Oppa, you know places like this?”
We stopped by a restaurant for lunch.
It was a place I had visited once before in a small alley. Antique

and cute decorations captivated Son Yooha’s eyes, and the spaghetti
and lasagna quickly delighted our mouths.
While we were eating.
“Oppa, who did you come here with? You usually come to places like
this with a woman.”
Son Yooha asked with a serious expression. When she says things
like that, she should at least wipe the spaghetti sauce off her
lips.
I picked up a tissue, wiped the sauce off her mouth, and shook my
head.
“So sloppy.”
I had come here with Im Hyera before. But then, Son Yooha’s face
turned as red as a persimmon, and she hurriedly focused on her meal
again.
At times like this, she’s still an unmistakable girl. By the way,

the spaghetti here is really excellent. Im Hyera’s taste in food is
commendable.
“Rosa, Rosa―!”
The sweet scent of roses tickled my nose in every alley. Since the
blooming season was over, they must have been grown in a
greenhouse.
Even the solicitation was an art form. They would invariably urge
passing couples to gift a rose to their beautiful lady.
As expected of Casanova’s hometown. I thought no one would fall for

such solicitations, but.
“One, please.”
Son Yooha was staring intently at the roses. If I didn’t buy her
one, she would undoubtedly nag me about it forever, so I quickly
took out my wallet.
Son Yooha’s face, holding a fresh rose, looked happier than ever.
“Oppa, I want to see the Trevi Fountain.”
“Okay, let’s go.”
Son Yooha took my hand and followed me with a bright expression.

Although the place was crowded, I wasn’t worried. After all, her
bodyguards were following us from a distance.
When we arrived at the Trevi Fountain, Son Yooha took out some
coins.
“Here, Oppa, let’s throw them together.”
“Throw two coins?”
“Yes, it has to be two!”
With her small hand, Son Yooha handed me two coins and then turned
around to take her stance.
With tightly closed lips, she seemed to be making a wish, then

threw the coin in her right hand over her left shoulder.
I also threw two coins towards the fountain.
“Oppa, you threw two coins into the fountain, right?”
Son Yooha’s cheeks were filled with happy blushes. Anyone would
think she had won the lottery. At that moment, the coins under the
water sparkled like jewels.
“Did that really happen?”
Chairman Wang’s smile didn’t leave his lips as he answered the

phone.
“Where’s the man I play Go with?”

Chairman Yoo, sitting across from him, teased. But Chairman Wang
couldn’t put down the receiver.
It was strange. The man who would wake up even in his sleep for a
match, especially when the game was this close, wouldn’t even take
a call or engage in small talk.
“Yes, let’s meet when you return to Korea.”
Chairman Wang’s face was full of satisfaction as he hung up the

phone. Anyone would think he had already secured victory in the
game.
“Who were you talking to that made you so happy, Son?”
“Curious, old man?”
“Seeing you grin so broadly, my curiosity is gone. Now, let’s play

Go. Do you think I don’t know that you’re stalling?”
If it were any other time, Chairman Wang would have quickly picked
up the Go stones at Chairman Yoo’s provocation. But he kept smiling
as if something pleasant had happened.
“Hyun and Yooha met, they say.”
“In Italy?”
“Yes, I just got a call from my wife saying they went on a date.
They dined at the same place where Ilsung and I had a meal before
our marriage. My wife was so happy. She urged me to take lots of
pictures.”
It seemed Chairman Wang’s new hobby was collecting photos of the

two kids.
“Are you that pleased?”
“Of course, how could I not be? I plan to make a photo album for
Yooha when she gets married. Back when I was a peddler in
Hamgyeongbuk-do, I didn’t have a single proper photo with my late
wife, and I regret it. Isn’t it the same for you, old man?”
Chairman Wang looked at Chairman Yoo with eyes full of nostalgia.
“I took a few.”
“You old-fashioned codger, how nice it would be if you agreed with

me. No wonder you were ousted from the wealthy family.”
“Enough chit-chat, let’s play Go. How long are you going to keep me
waiting?”
It was a joke only close friends could make. Chairman Wang stared
intently at the Go board and finally placed a black stone.
“Why is it that your family is naturally good at Go? If Hyun didn’t

have a talent for music, he would’ve become a Go player. Isn’t it
strange?”
“What is?”
Chairman Wang nodded towards the newspaper.
“Things are turning out just as Hyun said.”
Buzz―!
It was the day of shooting the final performance scene.
Alessandro’s bowing had improved to the point where it could be

considered high-level. He practiced so hard that I worried he might
switch careers from actor to violinist.
After a long practice session, Alessandro, out of breath, looked at

me.
“That was very good, Hyung.”
At my compliment, Alessandro smiled brightly like a child. But it

wasn’t over yet.
“The last scene involves slow bowing, right? Playing a slow piece
requires deep emotion. This time, let’s play with your shoulders
relaxed and your wrist firm. Of course, keep the pressure off your
right index finger. Got it?”
“Okay, Master.”
Alessandro, though acting, wanted to achieve a perfect performance.

Thanks to him, the atmosphere on set remained intense until the
final performance day.
“Thank you for always working so hard, Hyun.”
“I should be the one thanking you, Director.”
Had it not been for my connection with Jean-Pierre, I wouldn’t have

had the chance to work on such a masterpiece.
Moreover, filming the performance scenes all at once for the sake
of the sound recorder was rare in the film industry.
And they even offered me running royalties. Unlike my previous

life, this life felt like blessings were coming my way even if I
stayed still.
“Director, may I play first?”

The last scene was filled with deep emotions. It was a scene where
Paganini performed for his son.
It would be easier for Alessandro to bow after watching me play.
Jean-Pierre nodded without hesitation at my request.
I leaned back into the armchair as in the filming scene.
Sitting and playing wouldn’t be easy. It was like performing on

that day on the rocking ship.
A delicate touch of emotion met the shimmering strings.
It was a performance for a beloved son. Paganini’s bow touched the

strings with all his strength to pour out his last effort for the
child he wanted to protect.
Buzz.
The melody was like the sorrowful cry of a bird. Expressing deep
emotions through a dense performance was more challenging than
playing a fast piece.
The lyrical adagio resonated through the strings like the moonlight
pouring through the window.
Paganini must have had a blissful vision of his son while watching
him sleep. But he knew his life was nearing its end.
In the gradually accelerating tempo, a fierce trill echoed with a

violent tremor.
To replace his blind sight, the son awoke from his sleep. Fearing
his son would catch him, the melody regained its calm and warmth.
Everyone was left speechless by the final performance filled with

dying Paganini’s emotions.
“Hyun, will you visit the U.S. when the film premieres?”
Alessandro put his arm around my shoulder affectionately. We had

gotten as close as Baek Jeonghoon during the filming.
Compared to my previous life, where I had no friends, my charm must

have increased.
“By the way, Alessandro. Do you know the meaning of throwing coins
into the Trevi Fountain?”
I had been meaning to ask this amidst the busy shooting schedule
but had forgotten.
“How many coins did you throw?”

“Two.”
“Did you throw them with a girl?”
Alessandro gave me a peculiar smile.
“Does this mean Hyun will get married before me?”
“What are you talking about, Hyung?”
“There’s a saying that if you throw two coins into the Trevi
Fountain, you’ll find eternal love.”
Chapter 97
ZLOOD
2024-07-02
“Did you meet the violinist Hyun?”
The lion of the Berlin Philharmonic widened his eyes.
“Honestly, I still don’t understand. I vividly remember his

performance with the London Symphony two years ago. At the age of
thirteen, few can show such boldness in front of so many audiences.
But to have such skills and yet wander around film sets instead of
holding solo concerts?”
The lion’s brows were deeply furrowed.
It was still a time when collaborations between film productions

and orchestras were minimal. In fact, there was even talk among
mainstream musicians that classical music should not be used as
background music for films.
How much time had passed? The lion then realized that he had failed
to control his anger.
“I’m sorry for raising my voice, Maestro.”
“No, it’s alright. Everyone is entitled to their own opinion. Are

you curious about how he’s changed over the past two years?”
The petals floating on the teacup shook.
“They say a fine sword doesn’t rust over time, and isn’t it now
that his bow truly shines? Listening to his performance, I was once
again amazed. I understood how Professor Auer felt when he looked
at young Yasha. Yuri, you should have heard his lyra performance.”
Despite the broken back of the violin, didn’t it still produce

beautiful melodies?
“If Maestro speaks so highly of him, then it means his skills

haven’t diminished at all over the past two years.”
“That’s right. It’s more accurate to say he’s growing at an

unimaginable rate. If I were ten years younger, I would have wanted
to collaborate with that boy. Now I understand why Spencer in
London wanted him so badly. Spencer seems to have decided to wait
for Hyun’s choice. It’s pointless to rush if you can’t capture the
boy’s heart. In that sense, Spencer resembles Professor Auer.”
Click, the sound of a teacup being placed down was heard.
“Yuri, do you still want to bring Hyun to the Berlin Philharmonic

as a guest member? Or do you want to teach him yourself? When I
look at you, I think of my old mentor, Professor Vasily. Unlike
Professor Auer, he had to get what he wanted to be satisfied.”
Gustav and the lion’s eyes met.
“If you’re that anxious, why not go and visit him?”
“Hyun, breakfast is ready.”
It was a familiar voice I hadn’t heard in a while. With a towel

around my neck, I went downstairs, and a savory smell tickled my
nose.
The only regret was that Dr. Tikhonov was nowhere to be seen. Of
course, he couldn’t stay at the Ichon-dong mansion forever.
At that moment,
“Hyun!”
Suddenly, someone hugged me from behind. My old inspection habit

almost made me elbow their face.
Turning my head, I saw Dr. Tikhonov, looking pale.
“Didn’t you go back to Russia, Doctor?”
“The boss offered me a formal scout. Although the company provided

accommodation, the boss said I could have breakfast with you, so I
come to the mansion every morning. I was so happy to hear that you
arrived last night. By the way, your reflexes are no joke! Oh, I
should help Madam. She’s been enjoying learning Korean dishes
lately. Madam, I’m coming!”
Typical chatterbox doctor. His eccentricity remained unchanged. But

thanks to him, the breakfast table felt lively.
Grandfather, who was about to pick up his spoon, glanced at me.
“Hyun, did you learn and see a lot in Italy?”

“Yes, being abroad, I feel like my perspective has broadened. The

cultural life and values of people are different from Korea.”
“It must have been a good time. By the way, Yooha’s grandfather
said he must see you. He mentioned something about settling the
composition fee, and you would understand?”
Oh no, he’s talking about the Guarneri. Considering it costs 1.5

million dollars, it seemed too much to call it a composition fee.
While I was pondering how to deal with the old fox,
“Hyun, would you like to come to the lab today? The team members
are eagerly waiting for you.”
“Dr. Tikhonov, are our researchers that eager to see Hyun?”
“Boss, just like musicians have muses that inspire them, Hyun is
that kind of presence to our team. So, Hyun, would you like to
come?”
Regretfully, I shook my head. Dr. Tikhonov looked puzzled, but it

couldn’t be helped. The reason was simple.
“I have to go to school.”
Wearing the school uniform after a long time felt strange. The
sleeves, which might have been short, fit perfectly, making me feel
a bit resentful. But the good news was that the time for growth
spurts wasn’t far off.
I took the school car driven by Mr. Kim. Occasionally, I felt the
gazes of students recognizing me. Even though they were my
classmates, we were all unfamiliar with each other due to my
frequent absences.
“Hyun, could you give a speech as the student representative at the

graduation ceremony?”
“Me?”
The homeroom teacher’s face showed signs of distress. Usually, the

student council president gives the graduation speech. There must
be a reason for this unusual request.
“Since you transferred, you’ve consistently been at the top of the

school and brought a lot of recognition to our school. The
principal specifically requested this. The students also want you
to be the graduation representative.”
“The students?”
It was unexpected. I thought the principal might be trying to

impress Im Hyera, the director, but I didn’t expect the students. I
assumed they would look at me with disdain for not attending
school.
“Yes. Especially the music department students really like you. By

the way, if you have time today, could you visit the music
department and watch their rehearsals? They’re all exempt from
classes because of the upcoming competition.”
Being a middle school under the Jeil Foundation, the school

facilities were exceptional, and the club activities were
outstanding. They even had equipment that could be found in top
music colleges.
Although it felt a bit embarrassing, the teacher kept pushing me,

and before I knew it, I was in front of the music room.
The teacher entered first and introduced me to the students.
“Hyun is back at school after finishing his filming. You all wanted
to meet him, right? If you have any questions, ask him.”
The students froze as if they had seen a ghost. Some girls rubbed
their eyes with their uniform sleeves in disbelief.
But there were more students than I expected. Are they planning to
compete in a youth orchestra competition?
“A solo concert?”
Im Hyera, the director, unexpectedly made a proposal to me.
“Instead of just writing scores in the studio every day, how about
holding a solo concert? You know how many fans are waiting for you,
right?”
Of course, I knew. Didn’t I hold a signing event in Venice? But it

felt premature. I wasn’t thinking of holding a solo concert,
especially considering the current unsettled social atmosphere.
At that moment, as if reading my mind, Im Hyera continued.
“You can direct the proceeds from the solo concert towards social
contributions. Of course, the profits you make will be provided by
the Jeil Foundation. To be precise, the Jeil Foundation plans to
sponsor you by holding the solo concert.”
Surely, the Jeil Foundation wouldn’t spend money without reason.

They aim to enhance their corporate image and use the concert as an
opportunity to recruit musicians.
According to rumors, they are considering Baek Jung-hoon for the

gallery. As expected, Im Hyera had a keen sense for the
entertainment business.
“But still, not yet.”

It’s essential to give a clear answer in business. I remembered how

frustrating it was to receive ambiguous answers while doing
business with the Japanese in my past life.
Moreover, I wanted to pursue music, not necessarily hold a solo

concert.
Money wasn’t an issue. Considering Paganini’s running guarantee

aside from copyright, I was sure to be financially secure.
At that moment.
“Author, you have a guest.”
It was the voice of Mi-hyun noona. It seemed like a guest of Im

Hyera had come to the gallery.
I got up to finish my work. Im Hyera looked visibly disappointed,

as she couldn’t finalize the solo concert.
“Mi-hyun, who is the guest? I don’t have any appointments today.”
Then Mi-hyun noona looked at me and started speaking. “To be

precise, they came to meet the violinist Hyun.” Me?
“Sauvignon Blanc, please.”
The acidity and fresh fruit aroma of the white wine filled my
mouth.
Yuri, the lion of the Berlin Philharmonic, also calmed his racing
heart with wine when he first went to meet Hyun two years ago.
Over the past two years, many outstanding violinists had applied
for membership. Among them were even next-generation maestros well-
known by their names. However,
Like listening to an old masterpiece, why did that boy’s melody

keep resonating in Yuri’s ears? The more he listened to the eternal
Maestro Gustav’s words, didn’t his heart pound even louder?
Had it not been for Gustav’s advice, Yuri might not have considered
coming to Korea. The view of Seoul gradually appeared outside the
plane window.
“I heard violinist Hyun is here?”
The gallery staff greeted Yuri skillfully. It was Kim Mi-hyun, who
had become proficient in English.
“Did you make an appointment?”

“Unfortunately, I couldn’t get his contact information, so I didn’t

make an appointment. But is it true that violinist Hyun works
here?”
No matter how much he looked around, it seemed like a typical

gallery. The modern artworks displayed here and there were pieces
Yuri was familiar with. It was hard to believe there was a
musician’s studio here.
“Currently, he has an appointment with another guest. May I ask who

I should inform him?”
“Tell him it’s Yuri from Berlin.”
Kim Mi-hyun, who was on the intercom, nodded a few times and then
walked straight towards Yuri.
“Sir, I will guide you now.”
After passing through the sophisticatedly decorated gallery

hallway, they arrived in front of a large office.
Yuri wondered if the office, which looked like the

representative’s, belonged to the violinist Hyun he knew. At that
moment,
As the office door opened, Yuri’s brows furrowed.
“Spencer?”
Isn’t he the conductor of the London Symphony? He didn’t expect the

previous guest to be Spencer. Spencer also seemed visibly surprised
to see Yuri.
“What brings you here, Maestro?”
“I stopped by Korea briefly after a performance in Japan. By the

way, I wanted to ask, why are you here, the lion of the Berlin
Philharmonic?”
“I’m on a sabbatical after the last performance, so I decided to

travel around Asia.”
“Traveling around Asia?”
Hyun stood up to greet Yuri. It seemed like a fight might break out
between the two if left alone.
“Long time no see, Maestro.”
Yuri shook hands with Hyun, but his gaze was still intense. “You
haven’t neglected your violin practice, Hyun. Your hands are full
of calluses.”
“Since I have to play Paganini’s pieces, I can’t afford to rest.

But I never expected both of you to come and see me. Our president
is also extremely surprised. Such renowned conductors visiting me
on the same day. What’s going on?”
Chapter 98
ZLOOD
2024-07-02
Sizzle sizzle―!
The richly marbled meat was grilling to a golden brown on the hot
plate, making my mouth water. Adding a shot of soju to this would
be the perfect finishing touch.
However, the atmosphere at the dinner table was reminiscent of a

tense first meeting between in-laws. Two stern-looking individuals
were staring each other down intensely.
“This is Korean beef made from native cattle. I don’t know if it

will suit your taste, but the quality and flavor are excellent. I
hope the maestros enjoy it.”
At that, the two stopped their staring contest and focused on the
meat. Interestingly, despite both being Westerners, they were
highly skilled with chopsticks.
Of course, having performed with orchestras worldwide from a young

age, they must have experienced all kinds of exotic dishes.
“Hyun, I don’t know if we deserve such hospitality.”
“It’s nothing. The maestros came all the way to Korea to see me, so
treating you to a meal is the least I can do.”
“Thank you for saying that.”
Anticipating this, I had brought a corporate card. The restaurant

had an elegant exterior and was known for hosting many politicians.
I had visited this place a few times in my past life.
I wondered if Director Im Hyera would be surprised at the card

bill. After the meal, it was time to choose a post-meal tea.
“Hyun, I’ll have Ssanghwa tea.”
“Pardon?”
“Remember the tea you served me and the maestro last time? Dmitri
also loved it, said it was similar to mulled wine.”
I never expected to be enjoying Ssanghwa tea with foreigners. As

their teacups were almost empty, Yuri spoke first.
“I’ll get straight to the point. Hyun, are you still considering
the offer I made two years ago to join us?”
“Maestro Yuri, I’m sorry, but I remember making the same offer. And
I met Hyun first, didn’t I?”
“Maestro Spencer, I apologize, but musicians have different

orchestras that suit their talents. Joining an orchestra isn’t
about who asked first; it’s Hyun’s choice.”
Spencer furrowed his brows, and Yuri raised an eyebrow. It was like
watching a clash of titans.
With their overflowing charisma and stern expressions, the

restaurant waitress was trembling as she served.
Anyone watching might mistake this for a mafia boss meeting rather
than a conversation between maestros.
“Ahem, Maestro Spencer, how long will you be staying in Korea?”
“Why do you ask?”
“As far as I know, you have a symphony performance in London soon.

I didn’t realize you had so much free time. You’ll be heading back
to London soon, right? As for me, I’m on a sabbatical, so I have
plenty of time.”
Spencer’s face tightened. It seemed Yuri’s words were true. The

tension was palpable, and unless I intervened, it felt like it
would never end.
Just as I was about to interject, Spencer turned to me and said,
“Then, Hyun, promise me this.”
What?
“If you don’t come to London, don’t go to Berlin either.”
‘London and Berlin.’
Any musician would be envious. The overwhelming love calls were

enough to make my head spin.
Maestro Spencer kept urging me until the day he left. If I went to

Berlin without telling him, I felt he might chase me down and kick
my butt.
Knowing the maestro’s temperament, it wouldn’t end with just a

kick.
“We’ve arrived, Kang Hyun.”
Mr. Kim’s voice snapped me out of my thoughts. I had grown to enjoy

leaving school in my uniform. The reason was simple. In exchange
for helping music students, I was excused from classes.
“Hyunseon, when you play the keys, your left fingers are too tense
compared to your right. And if you look at the score for the second
movement, it says ‘Adagio cantabile.’ You need to play it slowly,
like singing. Structurally, the movement starts lyrically, becomes
passionate, and ends lyrically again. But your performance feels
abrupt.”
It’s like changing lanes slowly with a turn signal in a car, but
suddenly switching from the third lane to the first without
signaling.
“Thank you, Hyun.”
The students took my feedback well. I pinpointed the issues

quickly, so it was only natural.
Surprisingly, many students were into classical music. There were

dozens of them. If it weren’t for the well-equipped Jeil Middle
School, they wouldn’t have all been accommodated.
“Hyun, could you check my posture for a moment?”
It was a male student specializing in violin. Although we were in

the same grade, I rarely saw him as I hadn’t been to school often.
“Jinho, I’d like you to relax your grip when you draw the bow. Your
melody is too stiff right now. It’s like you’re trying not to miss
a single note on the staff, with your eyes on fire. You’re
excluding any emotion. Fixing your posture can come later.”
This issue arose when focusing solely on completion. Without

emotion, the melody isn’t music. Nonetheless, Jinho followed well.
If he didn’t have potential and skill, I wouldn’t have given such
harsh feedback.
“Jinho, may I ask why you’re so dedicated to playing the violin?”
He stayed after school every day to practice. I heard he was also

good at academics.
But when he played the violin, it was as if his life depended on

it. His determination was comparable to professional violinists.
“I want my parents to acknowledge me. My father hates me playing

the violin.”
Some adults have an aversion to music, even classical music.
Moreover, the times are uncertain. In a situation where you don’t

know when you’ll escape the foreign exchange crisis, it’s hard for
parents to wholeheartedly support their child pursuing an

instrument.
‘Hmm.’
It had been a week since I started checking the music department

students’ postures.
Most of them were preparing for various competitions in December.

They were children of renowned companies.
There were even students defying their family’s opposition to focus

on music, which was impressive. Each one had a lively sparkle in
their eyes.
“Would you consider performing at your graduation? There’s quite

some time between the competitions and the graduation.”
Nobody responded. It seemed like a waste. Such talented performers

shouldn’t be left idle. Moreover, it was a perfect opportunity to
showcase their skills in front of their parents.
“Hyun, we did consider it, but there are quite a few of us. How can
so many people perform together?”
At that moment, Kim Jinho spoke up.
As he mentioned, the students played various instruments. From

violins to cellos, clarinets, flutes, and even double basses.
The string section was already nearly complete.
“Why think that way?”
The students looked at me, dumbfounded. Adjusting some instrument

compositions was all it took. The solution was simple.
“You can all perform together.”
“Hyun is truly gifted.”
Chairman Wang’s voice echoed in the reception room, full of

excitement.
“But I wonder if I might lose my future son-in-law to an

orchestra.”
“Since when did Hyun become your son-in-law?”
“Haha, in-law. Wasn’t it decided when we first met? We agreed to

marry off our grandchildren.”
Did they ever make such a promise? Chairman Wang smiled slyly and
sipped his tea.
“By the way, it’s been days since he arrived in Korea, and he
hasn’t come to see his grandfather yet?”
“In-law, you know how busy Hyun is these days.”
Of course, renowned maestros from abroad came to see Hyun. Despite

that, Chairman Wang’s expression didn’t soften.
Suddenly, Chairman Wang’s lips curled into a smile. Chairman Yoo

knew what that expression meant.
“Are you planning to tease Hyun?”
“Of course. He’s making me worry, so I need to make him realize how
much he needs his grandfather.”
“Our Hyun isn’t easily swayed. You know that. He’s a kid who sees
several moves ahead.”
As Chairman Yoo mentioned, there were countless times he was amazed

by his grandson.
Especially his understanding of Korea’s market economy was so

impressive it was almost eerie. Didn’t the government hide the fact
about the bailout?
But Chairman Wang was no ordinary person either. He’s not called a
titan of the business world for nothing.
“In-law, tell Hyun this.”
“What should I tell him?”
Chairman Wang’s face filled with mischief.
“The most unfair thing in the world is taking back what you gave.”
“Are all these sheet music pieces composed by violinist Hyun?”
The lion of the Berlin Philharmonic, Yuri, couldn’t hide his pure
admiration.
He was usually expressionless. But seeing all these sheet music

pieces, he couldn’t help but be amazed.
Yuri had to discard his previous thoughts. It was a clear

misjudgment.
Violinist Hyun hadn’t been idle for the past two years.
“Unbelievable.”
Names of legendary composers like Mozart, Beethoven, and Vivaldi

flashed through Yuri’s mind.
The sheer number of sheet music pieces created in two years was
astounding.
And their quality? Every note on the staff was so meticulously

crafted that it was beyond words.
“May I watch you compose for a moment, if it’s not too much
trouble?”
“Of course, Maestro.”
Hyun nodded without hesitation. He was never a sensitive artist.

Hadn’t Baek Jeonghoon dropped by the studio regularly?
Moreover, thanks to upgraded software from his past life, Hyun’s

concentration was unmatched.
How much time had passed?
Like Mozart, who composed masterpieces while sipping tea, Hyun’s

hand danced continuously over the staff.
“Would you like to see it, Maestro?”
Yuri carefully took the sheet music Hyun handed him. His sharp eyes
widened gradually.
“What kind of inspiration leads to composing such a piece…?”
Muttering to himself, Yuri’s eyes were wide open.
Hyun kept the inspiration he got from the conflict between Spencer
and Yuri to himself and spoke.
“This is a gift for you, Maestro.”
“Sorry, but I can’t easily accept such an outstanding piece.”
The sheet music was intricately composed, reminiscent of Bazzini’s

Dance of the Goblins.
It featured double stops, pizzicato, and harmonics, with a fast

tempo from the beginning to the fermata at the final bar line.
It was impressive for a piece created in just thirty minutes.
“Then, may I ask a favor in return, Maestro?”
“I’ll do anything.”
“It might be an unreasonable request. Even if you refuse, I’d like

you to keep the sheet music.”
Yuri nodded readily. Receiving such a high-quality sheet music

piece, how could he refuse? He was prepared to accept any request.
Moreover, he had plenty of free time on his sabbatical.
Hyun bowed respectfully to Maestro Yuri.
“Maestro, please teach me conducting.”
Chapter 99
ZLOOD
2024-07-02
“You rascal, are you planning to become a Go player?”
Chairman Wang narrowed his eyebrows while glaring at the Go board.

Well, he can’t just play an easy game for the sake of formality.
In any case, Chairman Wang’s Go skills have significantly improved

since the last time I saw him.
“Grandfather, did you get private Go lessons while I was gone?”
“Why do you think so?”
“Your momentum has changed.”
Go is often described as a battle of momentum.
In the past, he played aggressive moves and constantly engaged in

skirmishes, but now he steps back and observes the opponent.
Even when I induced a quick game to exploit any gaps, Chairman

Wang’s momentum remained unshaken.
He played a solid and stable game, similar to a stone Buddha

reading moves with the spirit of a great mountain. Could it be?
“Did you take lessons from Lee Chang-ho?”
For a moment, Chairman Wang’s eyebrows shot up in surprise.
“Ahem, until when are you going to leave the violins with your old
man? Not just one, but two of them.”
He was clearly trying to change the subject, which meant I hit the
mark.
The safe in Pyeongchang-dong had almost perfect temperature and

humidity, making it an ideal place to store old violins that are
difficult to maintain.
“Are you at least paying a storage fee?”
“I’m playing Go with you in exchange right now.”
“You always try to beat your old man, but you sure know how to
talk.”
Despite his words, a faint smile lingered on his lips.
Chairman Wang had experienced countless ups and downs in the

business world, so he didn’t like playing Go casually. In that
aspect, I was a perfect match for him.
Snap—
With a single move, a large group of black stones was captured.

Chairman Wang narrowed his eyebrows and then placed his stone down,
saying “aing.”
“How is it that you improve every day? If you have a secret, share
it with your old man. Just when I think I can catch up, you’re
already far ahead.”
If there was a secret, I had nothing much to say. I was always

decent at Go, but not to this extent.
Perhaps it’s thanks to advanced software that I’ve become better at

reading moves. If I could see ten steps ahead in the past, now I
could see a hundred meters ahead, to exaggerate a bit.
“Hyun, why don’t you stay for dinner tonight? We can also look at
the photos I took.”
“Photos?”
What photos was he talking about? Chairman Wang’s eyes had a

mysterious glint, suggesting there was something I didn’t know.
But.
“Sorry, I have a prior engagement tonight.”
“A prior engagement? At this late hour?”
“I have to go for a lesson.”
Chairman Wang looked up with a puzzled expression, clearly not

understanding.
“Who are you learning from, Hyun?”
“What do you think conducting is?”

Yuri’s eyes were incredibly serious.
He was the lion of the Berlin Philharmonic, considered the best

among many orchestras. As the chief conductor, his reputation was
unbelievably high.
“I think of it as a musical instrument, Maestro.”
It wasn’t a wrong answer. However, Yuri spoke to the boy sitting

across from him.
“Conducting is a grand resonance. When a conductor steps onto the

podium, countless members’ eyes focus on the tips of their fingers.
If you can’t capture the prideful members’ hearts at once, your
fingertips lose confidence and eventually lose direction. That’s
why first-time conductors often feel frustrated on stage and
sometimes even give up on music.”
“Give up on music?”
“The melodies of numerous instruments blend together, creating a

cacophony that assails the ears. That’s a violin, that’s a cello,
and that booming sound is a timpani. It would feel like being in
the middle of a battlefield. There are many cases where conductors,
overwhelmed by the pressure, run away from the orchestra even
before their debut performance. This has been happening since
Mozart’s era and even earlier.”
It must have been because the unimaginable pressure enveloped their

entire being.
Moreover, it would feel like their life as a musician was being

denied, and how could one describe that sense of loss?
As Yuri said, many conductors fled before even stepping onto the
stage.
What happens when an underqualified person steps onto the podium?

In the past, famous orchestras frequently ousted their conductors,
so there’s no need to elaborate.
“I don’t understand why you suddenly want to learn conducting. In

my view, you are a perfect violinist. Being proficient in the
violin doesn’t mean you’ll be good at conducting. Just as a child
who is good at walking may find running difficult. Why are you
choosing a challenging path?”
Kang Hyun answered without hesitation.
“Because I really want to conduct.”
Yuri nodded briefly. Any musician would have wanted to play the
massive instrument known as an orchestra at least once.
But to step onto the podium requires numerous validations. Without

that, the countless melodies of the members would die with a single
gesture.
“What do you think is the difference between Spencer, Eden Simeon,

and me, Yuri Dianov, Violinist Hyun?”
“They are conductors with distinctly different characters.”
“Different characters?”
This time, Kang Hyun answered without hesitation. It was as if he

had been waiting for Yuri’s question.
“The three of you have distinctly different conducting styles. Even

when performing the same composer’s piece, the tempo marking might
indicate Andante, but Maestro Spencer’s heart feels Adagio, Eden
Simeon’s fingertips convey Allegretto, and Yuri Dianov’s eyes
express Allegro. I watched all the orchestra performance videos
without missing a single one.”
Yuri’s eyes showed a clear sign of interest.
“Then what do you think is the commonality among the three?”
“I believe it’s the respect for the composer.”
“Respect for the composer?”
“I’ve seen videos of the three of you conducting Beethoven’s

symphonies. Normally, you freely express the flow of the music with
your fingertips, but when it comes to Beethoven’s pieces, you all
follow the score as if you didn’t want to miss a single note. For
instance, Maestro Eden Simeon usually exaggerates his right hand
when requesting legato in the second movement, but not with
Beethoven’s pieces.”
Yuri couldn’t understand it at all.
“Can you really notice such detailed parts just from videos?”
“I watched them over and over until the tapes stretched.”
“Huh.”
Keen observation was one of the most essential qualities for a

conductor.
Yuri couldn’t hide his admiration every time the boy in front of
him revealed another layer of his hidden talents.
On the other hand, he was also curious. How much more did the boy
have left to show him?
Yuri was sipping a martini to savor the lingering emotions.
It had already been a month since he started teaching Hyun. Every

day was a series of amazements. Did the teachers who taught Mozart
feel this way?
“To memorize the entire score.”
A conductor must know the score as if they had memorized it. They
should know which instruments are used, what the dynamic markings
are, and even what the composer was feeling when composing the
symphony.
In that regard, Hyun showed an incredible level of insight. After

all, he had solved Eden’s riddles in the chapel.
But that was not all.
“In the second movement, this part must be a mistake by the

composer. It’s probably due to an excess of emotion. The audience
might think of this part as a moment of joy.”
It was a piece by an unknown Italian musician. The composer was so

obscure that hardly anyone had seen the score.
But Yuri was amazed internally as he listened to Hyun. Someone had

said the same thing in the past.
“Conductors usually express a 4/4 beat in similar ways: down, to

the right, to the left, and up. It’s important to deliver the beats
accurately. But the way they express the music is all different.
Some want to push forward strongly in the soft parts, while others
want to play softly in the emphasized parts. Mozart’s pieces are
particularly like that.”
Mozart’s pieces, unlike Beethoven’s, have ambiguous dynamic

markings.
Because of this, some say that Mozart’s scores are the most
considerate of the performers. It means that the scores
continuously stimulate the imagination.
“I think symphonies should be like Mozart’s. Instead of focusing on

the dead composer, the music should be recreated through the living
conductor’s fingertips. If Beethoven were to come back to life, he
might say, ‘Why are these people all trying to imitate me?’ If I
have offended you, Maestro, I apologize.”
Yuri recalled the image of Hyun hurriedly bowing his head and
smiled faintly. Wasn’t a born genius also rich in imagination?
Indeed, boldness and creativity were the most needed qualities for
a conductor. The audience doesn’t come to the concert hall to hear
the same symphony every time.
In that regard, Hyun deserved a perfect score.
“Vodka martini, shaken, not stirred.”
With an ordering style reminiscent of James Bond, Yuri asked the

bartender for another martini.
It seemed that tonight would be spent with martinis. To shake off

this deep lingering emotion, he would have to wait until dawn.
‘Have I ever felt such exhilaration in teaching someone?’
A faint smile appeared on Yuri’s lips.
“Piano!”
The pianist, who was responsible for basic accompaniment including

arpeggios, was startled by my shout and came to their senses.
From the cello to the violin and the contrabass. It was a chamber
music-level ensemble.
Since the auditorium was small and we couldn’t fill the entire
orchestra, we had to proceed with a small group.
“Hyunseon, your breathing is too fast for someone who should be

accompanying. I can give you signals loudly like this now, but I
can’t do it at the graduation ceremony. Don’t try to follow other
players’ melodies. The more impatiently you press the keys, the
more mistakes will happen.”
It was a small orchestra for the graduation ceremony.
Most of them had enough skills to solo in youth competitions, but

they were all inexperienced in ensemble playing.
It was their first experience playing with so many instruments, so

it couldn’t be helped.
“Jinho, you are responsible for the flow of the string section. But
what happens if you get nervous right from the start? The violins
will look at you if they can’t follow my hand.”
In a way, this child had the role of concertmaster. His expression

was solemn as he nodded, lips tightly shut.
In the beginning, the children were unsure, but as I pointed out

their mistakes one by one, they looked at me with their mouths
open.
They couldn’t believe I pinpointed the mistakes amidst countless

melodies.
“Let’s take a short break.”
Even after playing for hours, the children showed no signs of

fatigue. During the break, they continued to discuss the sheet
music and share opinions.
“Hyun, can I ask your opinion on this part?”
It was Jinho, who took on the role of concertmaster. From the first
day, he had been constantly asking me questions and meticulously
jotting down my advice in his notebook.
Even now, he came to me holding his notebook and pen tightly.
‘Come to think of it.’
Didn’t his angular face and deep features remind you of someone?
I’m talking about Dmitri, the concertmaster of the London Symphony.
Holding back my laughter, I sincerely answered the concertmaster’s

questions.
Most of his questions were about the flow of the performance,

probably because it was his first time playing in an orchestra.
This would naturally resolve over time.
Clap—
At the sound of clapping, the children returned to their places. As

soon as the break was over, their eyes turned serious again. I was
pleased.
I was using all the knowledge I learned from the lion of the Berlin
Philharmonic here.
My heart raced every time I conducted the massive instrument known

as an orchestra. It beat wildly as if in celebration.
“There isn’t much time until the graduation ceremony. Let’s make it
a grand finale.”
As my hand pointed towards the sky,
Dudududu—
A massive wave of melody arose.
Chapter 100
ZLOOD
2024-07-02
“How many geniuses have I seen?”
The past flowed over his blue eyes.
“Empress Karas of Austria, Eden Simeon of Belgium, Billstein of the

U.S., Spencer of London, Hikaru Akazawa of Japan…”
Sweat beaded on Tanaka’s forehead. Upon learning that the Berlin

Philharmonic’s lion was in the neighboring country of Korea, he had
rushed over.
The gaze that enveloped his entire body had a different but
somewhat similar meaning to that of the Queen of Strings. Moreover,
the names that came out of his mouth were of great figures who
carried past glories.
“These are conductors I have met in the past. The grand orchestras
that unfolded under their baton were enough to make me feel
inferior as a conductor.”
“Are you saying that even you felt inferior, Maestro?”
Tanaka could hardly believe it. The person in front of him was
undoubtedly the principal conductor of the world’s best orchestra.
“Musicians always live with a sense of inferiority. Some may target

the unreachable Mozart, while others compete with fellow musicians
at their side. Clearly, I belong to the latter.”
“Maestro, is there a conductor in Seoul that you have your eye on?”
A heat could be felt under his raised eyebrows. Even as time had
passed, the charisma of the Berlin Philharmonic’s lion was still
formidable.
Tanaka swallowed hard and continued his questions.
“Maestro, if you don’t mind me asking, could you tell me why you
are staying in Korea during your sabbatical? I heard that you were
invited to prestigious conducting competitions like the Antonio
Pedrotti Competition and the Karas Competition.”
Suspicion was evident on Tanaka’s face.
It was strange no matter how one looked at it. The fact that the
Berlin Philharmonic’s lion was staying in Seoul, which was not even
known as a city of music. Wasn’t it considered a barren land for
classical music?
But the answer he received was unexpected.
“If the goal of these world-renowned conducting competitions is to

find the next generation of maestros, I can say that I am already
doing that in Seoul.”
“What?”
What could this mean? Was there such a famous conductor in Seoul?
Before Tanaka could continue his questioning, Yuri spoke up first.
“You asked if there is a conductor I am paying attention to,

correct?”
“Yes, Maestro.”
There is a saying that the Berlin Philharmonic’s eyes are in the

sky.
Their audition process is so rigorous that even most musicians

cannot pass through its gates. Entering the Berlin Philharmonic is
considered a milestone in the classical music world.
Could there really be someone that the Berlin Philharmonic’s lion

has in mind? And in Korea, which is called a barren land for
classical music?
“Of course, there is.”
Without hesitation, the blue eyes conjured up one person.
“Hyun―!”
It had been a while since Dongjoo visited. Dr. Tikhonov came

running out with open arms as if they were long-lost family
members.
As expected of the talkative doctor, he started pouring out stories

about the team as soon as they met, to the point where it was
almost deafening.
“Hyun, we have decided to continue researching graphene not only in

the field of electronic materials but also in the field of
bioengineering.”
“What?”
“We have discovered that graphene oxide can act as a mechanism to

inhibit sepsis. Of course, it is still in its early stages.”
It made no sense. It was a research finding that would originally

be discovered in the 21st century. Besides, wasn’t Dr. Tikhonov a
chemist?
Although all sciences are interconnected with biotechnology, this

was still unbelievable.
“By the way, did I not mention it? In the past, I also studied
biology and medicine. After completing my residency in Russia, I
could have worked as a doctor, but chemistry excited me too much.

Had I not encountered chemistry, I would have become a surgeon
obsessed with operations.”
I knew he was a genius, but I didn’t realize he was this

exceptional.
There are occasionally such prodigies who are not satisfied with
just one field and master multiple disciplines. There was a chief
prosecutor at the Western District Prosecutor’s Office who also
held a medical license.
“Where did you get the idea, Doctor?”
“You remember the advice you gave me in Russia, don’t you? You said
graphene is like a lush old tree with countless branches, implying
its endless possibilities for use. I got the hint from that.”
It was a remark I had made in passing to a doctor who was stuck in

a fixed mindset. It was true that the application fields of
graphene I had seen in my past life were diverse.
But to think he grasped it so precisely from just that comment, it

was truly astounding.
“Isn’t he a delightful person?”
It was something my grandfather had said about Dr. Tikhonov.
After escorting me to my grandfather’s office, he saluted sharply,

saying, “Boss, I shall return to the lab now!” Anyone would think
he was dealing with a mafia boss.
“He is very capable. It was a wise choice to select Dr. Tikhonov,

who is creative and free-spirited, over someone more old-fashioned
like you suggested.”
“No, it was just luck. By the way, didn’t you have something to
tell me today, Grandpa?”
Wasn’t it an unexpected summons? Normally, he would be helping the

children’s orchestra practice at this time, but today was different
as there was a call from Grandpa, so I came to Dongjoo.
“Isn’t your graduation in a week?”
“Yes, Grandpa.”
“Now that you are becoming a high school student, it’s time to tell
you.”
Grandpa opened a locked drawer with a key as if he had been waiting

for this moment. Inside was a brown envelope.
“Hyun, take a look.”

Just like before, when he handed me a stack of documents, he gave

it to me in its entirety. Could there be a problem in Dongjoo that
I didn’t know about?
Grandpa gestured towards the sofa with his head. Given the
substantial amount of documents, it seemed he meant for me to sit
and read.
Click.
I naturally sat on the sofa and picked up a pen. With a clicking

sound, I started flipping through the pages.
“Grandpa?”
As I read through the documents, my face was filled with confusion.

Much of the content was about real estate and financial assets,
among which were many treasures I knew.
Especially in the overseas stock list, weren’t there names of giant

companies that anyone would know in the future?
Though there were some missteps, this investment list was enviable
even to Midas.
“These are recommendations from Yooha’s grandfather. Moving

Dongjoo’s shares would not sit well with your uncles. Who knows how
much longer this old man will live? The transfer has been completed
without any issues, so don’t worry.”
“What do you mean?”
I couldn’t understand.
“It won’t be bad for you to use your excellent judgment to discern
these things rather than this old man holding onto them. I made the
list, but deciding what is real and fake within it is up to you,
Hyun.”
My throat gulped hard. It felt like someone had shaken my mind.

Just to be sure, I bit the inside of my cheek, but the stinging
sensation indicated that it was not a dream.
Summarizing Grandpa’s words, everything in this list is…
“It’s yours, Hyun.”
Crunch, crunch―!
The sound of stepping on snow tickled my ears. Although it was the

last winter break, I was heading to school as usual.
Hadn’t I practiced tirelessly for the orchestra performance on

graduation day? The children’s skills had improved remarkably, to
the point where it could be described as leaps and bounds.
But still…
-It’s yours, Hyun.
Grandpa’s voice kept echoing in my mind.
Grandpa had clearly said that it was up to me to judge what is real

and fake within the list he handed over.
Such tasks weren’t particularly difficult for me, but it was

something I needed to observe a bit longer.
Could it be that my palm lines had changed due to calluses from

playing the violin all this time? Starting with royalties, my luck
with money was unmistakably different from my past life.
As I approached the music room, I heard the sound of tuning.
It was time to return to the role of conductor.
Buzz.
The pitch wavered. Beads of sweat were forming on Lee Jin-ho’s

face. Since he was in charge of the concertmaster role, he had to
perform the solo part.
Wasn’t it a piece he was hearing for the first time, with a score
he had never seen before? It was natural for it to be unfamiliar.
However…
“Jin-ho, can we talk for a moment?”
I called Lee Jin-ho aside, away from the other students’ gazes.
“Your confidence falters when playing the solo part. Your shoulders
become unbalanced, and your breathing becomes rough. As a result,
your fingering speed noticeably slows down. Jin-ho, if you falter,
the orchestra will waver.”
The roles of the concertmaster and the members are different.

Moreover, a concertmaster who cannot properly handle the solo part
cannot gain the members’ recognition.
Especially in a small orchestra like ours, if the concertmaster

collapses, the members are likely to fall like dominoes. Therefore,
I had to push him.
“There’s less than a week left until graduation. I will push your
skills to the limit by then. It will be tough, but can you follow
along?”
“I’ll definitely follow, Hyun.”
Seeing Lee Jin-ho’s determined face, I nodded.
Like Baek Jung-hoon, he would need Spartan training. He would have

to practice endlessly through the night.
“Is it tomorrow?”
Yuri recalled what Kang Hyun had said earlier. He intended to

showcase an original composition at the orchestra performance on
graduation day.
It would likely be arranged for a small orchestra. Naturally, he

was curious. He had already experienced Kang Hyun’s composing
skills.
It was a late hour shrouded in dusk. However, Kang Hyun’s studio

was lit up as if it were daytime.
“Is that the boy in charge of the concertmaster role? He is working

hard until the last day.”
Yuri covered the backs of the two boys with a blanket. They had
practiced so long that they had fallen asleep sitting up.
Especially the boy in the concertmaster role had noticeable

calluses on his hands, indicating that if he didn’t give up music
and continued to strive, he would surely shine one day.
Yuri moved to look at Kang Hyun, who was sleeping using a

synthesizer as a pillow.
“What are you going to show, Violinist Hyun?”
Although he would find out tomorrow, he was already curious. What

kind of piece would he create with his own orchestra?
Wasn’t he the boy who absorbed knowledge as if he were drawing it

in? He was so eager to introduce this boy to the Berlin
Philharmonic members immediately.
He was curious about what those proud musicians would say upon
seeing this young boy.
“Gino, that’s not how you do it… Again, again… Again…”
At that moment, Kang Hyun mumbled to himself as if he were talking

in his sleep. He must have been giving a lesson to the boy in the
concertmaster role even in his dreams.
To that boy, it would be a fortune worth more than gold. Kang Hyun
was someone who would soon etch his name in the classical music
world. It was then.
Slide.
As Kang Hyun mumbled in his sleep, the sheet music on the

synthesizer slid off and fell to the floor.
Yuri bent down and carefully picked up the fallen sheet music. His
blue eyes slowly scanned the notes on the staff as if savoring
them.
Andante Cantabile, it evoked thoughts of Tchaikovsky’s piece.
The slow yet splendid composition of notes, like a flower bud

revealing its true form as it blossoms, captivated Yuri’s gaze.
It felt a profound beauty that words could not describe.
Like the laughter of children by a serene lakeside, it was a pure

and clear musical feast, and the finale that beat like a heart was
perfect for the graduation day, which marked both an end and a
beginning.
“Violinist Hyun, you even make me feel inferior.”
Yuri knew. He could be someone’s Mozart, or conversely, someone

else’s Salieri.
But contrary to his words, his face bore a deeper smile than ever
before.
Chapter 100
ZLOOD
2024-07-02
“How many geniuses have I seen?”
The past flowed over his blue eyes.
“Empress Karas of Austria, Eden Simeon of Belgium, Billstein of the

U.S., Spencer of London, Hikaru Akazawa of Japan…”
Sweat beaded on Tanaka’s forehead. Upon learning that the Berlin

Philharmonic’s lion was in the neighboring country of Korea, he had
rushed over.
The gaze that enveloped his entire body had a different but
somewhat similar meaning to that of the Queen of Strings. Moreover,
the names that came out of his mouth were of great figures who
carried past glories.
“These are conductors I have met in the past. The grand orchestras
that unfolded under their baton were enough to make me feel
inferior as a conductor.”
“Are you saying that even you felt inferior, Maestro?”
Tanaka could hardly believe it. The person in front of him was
undoubtedly the principal conductor of the world’s best orchestra.
“Musicians always live with a sense of inferiority. Some may target

the unreachable Mozart, while others compete with fellow musicians
at their side. Clearly, I belong to the latter.”
“Maestro, is there a conductor in Seoul that you have your eye on?”
A heat could be felt under his raised eyebrows. Even as time had
passed, the charisma of the Berlin Philharmonic’s lion was still
formidable.
Tanaka swallowed hard and continued his questions.
“Maestro, if you don’t mind me asking, could you tell me why you
are staying in Korea during your sabbatical? I heard that you were
invited to prestigious conducting competitions like the Antonio
Pedrotti Competition and the Karas Competition.”
Suspicion was evident on Tanaka’s face.
It was strange no matter how one looked at it. The fact that the
Berlin Philharmonic’s lion was staying in Seoul, which was not even
known as a city of music. Wasn’t it considered a barren land for
classical music?
But the answer he received was unexpected.
“If the goal of these world-renowned conducting competitions is to

find the next generation of maestros, I can say that I am already
doing that in Seoul.”
“What?”
What could this mean? Was there such a famous conductor in Seoul?
Before Tanaka could continue his questioning, Yuri spoke up first.
“You asked if there is a conductor I am paying attention to,

correct?”
“Yes, Maestro.”
There is a saying that the Berlin Philharmonic’s eyes are in the

sky.
Their audition process is so rigorous that even most musicians

cannot pass through its gates. Entering the Berlin Philharmonic is
considered a milestone in the classical music world.
Could there really be someone that the Berlin Philharmonic’s lion

has in mind? And in Korea, which is called a barren land for
classical music?
“Of course, there is.”
Without hesitation, the blue eyes conjured up one person.
“Hyun―!”
It had been a while since Dongjoo visited. Dr. Tikhonov came

running out with open arms as if they were long-lost family
members.
As expected of the talkative doctor, he started pouring out stories

about the team as soon as they met, to the point where it was
almost deafening.
“Hyun, we have decided to continue researching graphene not only in

the field of electronic materials but also in the field of
bioengineering.”
“What?”
“We have discovered that graphene oxide can act as a mechanism to

inhibit sepsis. Of course, it is still in its early stages.”
It made no sense. It was a research finding that would originally

be discovered in the 21st century. Besides, wasn’t Dr. Tikhonov a
chemist?
Although all sciences are interconnected with biotechnology, this

was still unbelievable.
“By the way, did I not mention it? In the past, I also studied
biology and medicine. After completing my residency in Russia, I
could have worked as a doctor, but chemistry excited me too much.
Had I not encountered chemistry, I would have become a surgeon
obsessed with operations.”
I knew he was a genius, but I didn’t realize he was this

exceptional.
There are occasionally such prodigies who are not satisfied with
just one field and master multiple disciplines. There was a chief
prosecutor at the Western District Prosecutor’s Office who also
held a medical license.
“Where did you get the idea, Doctor?”
“You remember the advice you gave me in Russia, don’t you? You said
graphene is like a lush old tree with countless branches, implying
its endless possibilities for use. I got the hint from that.”
It was a remark I had made in passing to a doctor who was stuck in

a fixed mindset. It was true that the application fields of
graphene I had seen in my past life were diverse.
But to think he grasped it so precisely from just that comment, it

was truly astounding.
“Isn’t he a delightful person?”
It was something my grandfather had said about Dr. Tikhonov.
After escorting me to my grandfather’s office, he saluted sharply,

saying, “Boss, I shall return to the lab now!” Anyone would think
he was dealing with a mafia boss.
“He is very capable. It was a wise choice to select Dr. Tikhonov,

who is creative and free-spirited, over someone more old-fashioned
like you suggested.”
“No, it was just luck. By the way, didn’t you have something to
tell me today, Grandpa?”
Wasn’t it an unexpected summons? Normally, he would be helping the

children’s orchestra practice at this time, but today was different
as there was a call from Grandpa, so I came to Dongjoo.
“Isn’t your graduation in a week?”
“Yes, Grandpa.”
“Now that you are becoming a high school student, it’s time to tell
you.”
Grandpa opened a locked drawer with a key as if he had been waiting

for this moment. Inside was a brown envelope.
“Hyun, take a look.”
Just like before, when he handed me a stack of documents, he gave

it to me in its entirety. Could there be a problem in Dongjoo that
I didn’t know about?
Grandpa gestured towards the sofa with his head. Given the
substantial amount of documents, it seemed he meant for me to sit
and read.
Click.
I naturally sat on the sofa and picked up a pen. With a clicking

sound, I started flipping through the pages.
“Grandpa?”
As I read through the documents, my face was filled with confusion.

Much of the content was about real estate and financial assets,
among which were many treasures I knew.
Especially in the overseas stock list, weren’t there names of giant

companies that anyone would know in the future?
Though there were some missteps, this investment list was enviable
even to Midas.
“These are recommendations from Yooha’s grandfather. Moving

Dongjoo’s shares would not sit well with your uncles. Who knows how
much longer this old man will live? The transfer has been completed
without any issues, so don’t worry.”
I couldn’t understand.
“It won’t be bad for you to use your excellent judgment to discern
these things rather than this old man holding onto them. I made the
list, but deciding what is real and fake within it is up to you,
Hyun.”
My throat gulped hard. It felt like someone had shaken my mind.

Just to be sure, I bit the inside of my cheek, but the stinging
sensation indicated that it was not a dream.
Summarizing Grandpa’s words, everything in this list is…
“It’s yours, Hyun.”
Crunch, crunch―!
The sound of stepping on snow tickled my ears. Although it was the

last winter break, I was heading to school as usual.
Hadn’t I practiced tirelessly for the orchestra performance on

graduation day? The children’s skills had improved remarkably, to
the point where it could be described as leaps and bounds.
But still…
-It’s yours, Hyun.
Grandpa’s voice kept echoing in my mind.
Grandpa had clearly said that it was up to me to judge what is real

and fake within the list he handed over.
Such tasks weren’t particularly difficult for me, but it was

something I needed to observe a bit longer.
Could it be that my palm lines had changed due to calluses from

playing the violin all this time? Starting with royalties, my luck
with money was unmistakably different from my past life.
As I approached the music room, I heard the sound of tuning.
It was time to return to the role of conductor.
Buzz.
The pitch wavered. Beads of sweat were forming on Lee Jin-ho’s

face. Since he was in charge of the concertmaster role, he had to
perform the solo part.
Wasn’t it a piece he was hearing for the first time, with a score
he had never seen before? It was natural for it to be unfamiliar.
However…
“Jin-ho, can we talk for a moment?”
I called Lee Jin-ho aside, away from the other students’ gazes.
“Your confidence falters when playing the solo part. Your shoulders
become unbalanced, and your breathing becomes rough. As a result,
your fingering speed noticeably slows down. Jin-ho, if you falter,
the orchestra will waver.”
The roles of the concertmaster and the members are different.

Moreover, a concertmaster who cannot properly handle the solo part
cannot gain the members’ recognition.
Especially in a small orchestra like ours, if the concertmaster

collapses, the members are likely to fall like dominoes. Therefore,
I had to push him.
“There’s less than a week left until graduation. I will push your
skills to the limit by then. It will be tough, but can you follow
along?”
“I’ll definitely follow, Hyun.”
Seeing Lee Jin-ho’s determined face, I nodded.
Like Baek Jung-hoon, he would need Spartan training. He would have

to practice endlessly through the night.
“Is it tomorrow?”
Yuri recalled what Kang Hyun had said earlier. He intended to

showcase an original composition at the orchestra performance on
graduation day.
It would likely be arranged for a small orchestra. Naturally, he

was curious. He had already experienced Kang Hyun’s composing
skills.
It was a late hour shrouded in dusk. However, Kang Hyun’s studio

was lit up as if it were daytime.
“Is that the boy in charge of the concertmaster role? He is working

hard until the last day.”
Yuri covered the backs of the two boys with a blanket. They had
practiced so long that they had fallen asleep sitting up.
Especially the boy in the concertmaster role had noticeable

calluses on his hands, indicating that if he didn’t give up music
and continued to strive, he would surely shine one day.
Yuri moved to look at Kang Hyun, who was sleeping using a

synthesizer as a pillow.
“What are you going to show, Violinist Hyun?”
Although he would find out tomorrow, he was already curious. What

kind of piece would he create with his own orchestra?
Wasn’t he the boy who absorbed knowledge as if he were drawing it

in? He was so eager to introduce this boy to the Berlin
Philharmonic members immediately.
He was curious about what those proud musicians would say upon
seeing this young boy.
“Gino, that’s not how you do it… Again, again… Again…”
At that moment, Kang Hyun mumbled to himself as if he were talking

in his sleep. He must have been giving a lesson to the boy in the
concertmaster role even in his dreams.
To that boy, it would be a fortune worth more than gold. Kang Hyun
was someone who would soon etch his name in the classical music
world. It was then.
Slide.
As Kang Hyun mumbled in his sleep, the sheet music on the

synthesizer slid off and fell to the floor.
Yuri bent down and carefully picked up the fallen sheet music. His
blue eyes slowly scanned the notes on the staff as if savoring
them.
Andante Cantabile, it evoked thoughts of Tchaikovsky’s piece.
The slow yet splendid composition of notes, like a flower bud

revealing its true form as it blossoms, captivated Yuri’s gaze.
It felt a profound beauty that words could not describe.
Like the laughter of children by a serene lakeside, it was a pure

and clear musical feast, and the finale that beat like a heart was
perfect for the graduation day, which marked both an end and a
beginning.
“Violinist Hyun, you even make me feel inferior.”
Yuri knew. He could be someone’s Mozart, or conversely, someone

else’s Salieri.
But contrary to his words, his face bore a deeper smile than ever
before.
Chapter 102
ZLOOD
2024-07-02
Thump thump thump―!
Yuri felt his heart pounding wildly.
‘Amazing.’
Yuri couldn’t help but be in awe as he watched Kang Hyun ascend the
conductor’s podium. His unwavering gaze and steady posture seemed
to declare that he wasn’t nervous at all. Despite this being his
first orchestra experience, he behaved like a seasoned veteran who
had faced such situations hundreds of times. He seemed like someone
born to conduct.
The audience at the graduation ceremony was abuzz. The eyes that
had been curiously glancing at Yuri were now captivated by the
conductor on the podium.
The crowd, which had been whispering at the dignified greeting,

instantly fell silent. Everyone was overwhelmed by Kang Hyun’s
charisma.
Dudududung―!
The notes on the staff seemed to come alive and ripple from his
fingertips.
Yuri had already looked over the full score. However, the music he
had imagined from the sheet music was quite different. Even though
the notes were the same, there was a clear difference in the
directionality and resonance of the melody.
‘How on earth.’
Yuri couldn’t understand it at all. With a single movement of Kang

Hyun’s fingertips, the orchestra came to life like marionettes.
Moreover, the melody of each instrument felt three-dimensional, as

if there was a diaphragm adjusting the volume.
Initially, he had focused on teaching harmony, composition,

performance techniques, and knowledge. He believed that only with a
solid foundation could one build a great tower on top of it.
That didn’t mean he hadn’t taught conducting. Theory and practice

are distinctly different, so he had imparted more know-how in a
short period than others could ever hope to.
Yuri realized that Kang Hyun had already surpassed the scope of his
teachings.
Thump thump thump.
As the finale approached, his heart pounded even harder.
The grand resonance of the piano accompaniment resembled the

timpani of a tragic symphony, providing a majestic touch.
They were not particularly skilled performers. However, the

potential was fully realized through Kang Hyun’s fingertips.
Yuri couldn’t hide his admiration for the appearance of a natural-

born conductor. The audience felt the same way. Initially puzzled
expressions were now filled with excitement.
“Maestro Yuri.”
It was Spencer who had approached at some point. His eyes, which
always seemed angry, now clearly showed disbelief.
The continuous feast of musical inspiration. As a conductor,

gauging the capabilities of an orchestra was the easiest thing.
Thus, it was all the more surprising.
Could the hands of a young boy really cut through the air so
effortlessly?
Especially the start of the grand and solemn finale, which sent
shivers down Spencer’s spine.
For a moment, he looked like a maestro among maestros.
“Did you really teach Hyun how to conduct?”
Yuri couldn’t easily open his mouth to Spencer’s question. He

doubted whether he could even claim to have taught him.
“This place is known for its excellent Mapo tofu.”

There’s a saying that the highlight of a graduation ceremony is a

Chinese restaurant. In the past, when it was hard to eat
jajangmyeon, people eagerly awaited this day. A famous group singer
even sang a song about it, didn’t they?
But this was excessive. How many gourmet dishes were already on the
round table? A feast of unfamiliar dishes. Even the common
jajangmyeon had an extraordinary texture and gloss to the noodles.
“The chef here used to serve the Chinese president.”
Of course, Chairman Wang, a gourmet, wouldn’t enjoy Chinese food at

an ordinary place.
“I don’t know if it will suit your taste, but I hope the maestros
also enjoy it.”
It had unexpectedly turned into a large family gathering. Moreover,

the composition was anything but ordinary.
Starting with a business tycoon, world-class maestros, and even a

genius chemist. The server’s eyes widened at the attention-grabbing
group.
“Mr. Son, why so much food? I expected something extraordinary when

you said you’d treat us, but I never imagined this.”
“Isn’t it obvious? It’s my granddaughter’s husband’s graduation. As

a grandfather, I should at least do this. If I could, I would buy
this restaurant, in-law.”
Coming from Chairman Wang, it didn’t sound like a joke. He could

indeed make this gourmet Chinese restaurant his own with the flick
of a finger.
But the term “in-law” was somewhat unsettling.
“Do the maestros find the food to their taste?”
Chairman Wang asked the maestros in fluent English. Both Spencer

and Yuri answered politely, like nobles.
The four sharp-eyed individuals created an illusion of a scene from

“The Godfather.”
“By the way, Chairman Yu. You handed that over to Hyun, didn’t
you?”
When the grandfather nodded silently, Chairman Wang’s gaze turned

to me. My parents and Director Im Hyera also seemed very curious
about what Chairman Wang was referring to.
“Hyun, what do you think? Your grandfathers put their heads

together to come up with that list. Was it useful?”
What should I say? It had been a while since Chairman Wang had
asked me a question.
“You distributed it appropriately. Not too much, not too little.”
Hadn’t they intentionally controlled the investment risk? At a

glance, it looked like a meaningless string of numbers, but it
clearly showed their effort to balance everything.
I could see it at a glance because I knew the future, but the

meticulous adjustment seemed almost like the work of a shaman.
“Hyun, you could easily be the head of the strategic planning

department. How can you express something so difficult so simply?
One more question. Do you know why we made that list for you?”
“Because if you have too much from the start, you’ll forget how to
grow on your own.”
Chairman Wang’s smile was full of satisfaction.
“How could anyone not covet someone so excellent? Today’s

conducting was also very impressive. I can’t speak much about music
in front of the maestros, but I couldn’t let my guard down for a
moment. Don’t you agree, in-law?”
“Absolutely. I’m so proud of our Hyun today that I can’t stop

smiling. His speech was also excellent. Ah, to say that life is a
voyage and he is the captain, he must have inherited my
sensitivity.”
The grandfathers were already in high spirits, having had a drink

each. My parents and the maestros also enjoyed their meal.
Indeed, the dishes seemed to live up to the claim of being made by

the Chinese president’s chef, as each dish was mouthwateringly
delicious. It was then.
“Hyun, can I ask where your ship is headed?”
“Pardon?”
“I’m already curious about your future.”
When Chairman Wang emphasized “future” in English, Spencer and Yuri

perked up.
It seemed like Chairman Wang was up to his tricks again. The

maestros’ eyes lit up in an instant, as if in competition.
But why was the chatterbox scientist staring at me so intently?

Could it be that he still…
‘A chemist who does music―!’

He wanted me.
After the graduation ceremony, hadn’t the weather become noticeably

warmer?
“Is it spring fatigue?”
Though musical inspiration continued to pour out, the notes on the

staff drew wavy lines, contrary to my intentions.
I was expressing the process of snow melting in the warm February

sunlight with my violin when I heard a familiar voice from
somewhere.
“Hyun―!”
The person who entered the studio was none other than Baek Jung-
hoon.
I had heard he was overseas for a performance, but he was already

back. Judging by the suitcase in his hand, it seemed he came
straight here without even going home.
Before I could say anything, Baek Jung-hoon asked with eyes wide
open.
“Is it true that Maestro Spencer and Yuri were in Korea?”
It seemed the rumor had already spread far and wide. When I nodded
briefly, Baek Jung-hoon exclaimed.
“Wh-where are they?”
They were maestros of the Berlin Philharmonic and the London

Symphony Orchestra, whom any musician would respect. It was
understandable that Baek Jung-hoon was so surprised.
But unfortunately, the bus had already left. Spencer and Yuri had
already departed for the airport.
“You conducted the orchestra at the graduation ceremony? Why didn’t

you tell me?”
“You were in LA for a collaboration with the LA Philharmonic. And

it was just a small chamber orchestra.”
“Even if it was a small chamber orchestra, it’s still an orchestra.

Who taught you to conduct? Did you self-learn conducting too?”
What should I say? How would he react if I told him I learned the
basics of conducting from the lion of the Berlin Philharmonic?
But why did Baek Jung-hoon later walk the path of a conductor
instead of a pianist? As these questions filled my mind, Baek Jung-
hoon asked.
“Now that they’re gone, will they not come back to Korea?”
“No, they’re busy people. I’ll have to go next time.”
“What?”
Throughout their stay in Korea, Maestro Spencer and Yuri seemed to

be oil and water, constantly wary of each other. They even debated
my future, and the final conclusion was one.
“During summer vacation, I’ll spend half a month each in London and
Berlin. The orchestras agreed to let me experience them as a
provisional member.”
Baek Jung-hoon stood with his mouth agape.
“Maestro Spencer, see you next time.”
Their wrinkled hands shook as if in a power struggle.
‘What a nasty old man.’
‘What a vile old man.’
Spencer and Yuri didn’t realize that they parted ways with the same
thought.
“An Unbloomed Spring.”
Yuri smiled as he pondered the title of the score Kang Hyun

conducted. It was a perfect fit.
The composition alone, from the double bar lines at the beginning
to the fermata, was enough to evoke admiration, but his conducting
went beyond words.
“I’ll have the Sauvignon Blanc, please.”
Somehow, it seemed he sought wine every time he encountered Kang

Hyun. He had sipped his first glass to calm his pounding heart, and
now he drank to soothe the lingering aftertaste.
The fresh fruit aroma and flavor naturally filled his mouth.
Yuri looked down at the small tape in his hand. It was his first
student.
One couldn’t easily keep the first orchestra conducting in their

heart. He had gotten a camcorder and filmed it.
It was simply to leave a memory, but after the conducting ended, he

realized. If he hadn’t filmed it, he would have regretted it
deeply.
“I wonder what reaction this will bring.”
Indeed, Yuri was curious about how the members of the Berlin
Philharmonic, with their towering pride, would react to this video.
He was already looking forward to the upcoming summer.
“We can’t lose to London.”
Yuri’s mind flashed with Spencer’s piercing eyes. Surely, Spencer

was thinking the same.
It was a story that would have surprised anyone. The world’s top
maestros were wary of each other over a single musician.
“What a dreamlike country.”
The view of Seoul receding in the car window began to come into
focus.
Yuri thought. Once barren of classical music, Korea was now

sprouting renowned musicians.
From pianist Baek Jung-hoon to the student who served as

concertmaster under Kang Hyun’s baton, compared to the past, it was
a remarkable progress.
“Maestro Spencer, I will not let you take Hyun.”
It would be a fair competition. But he would never lose.
The maestros already knew. If the aforementioned sprouts became

musicians who contributed to the country, the names called later
would make a mark in the history of classical music.
The lion of the Berlin Philharmonic, Yuri thought. Surely, the gods
of music had blessed the country of South Korea.
Chapter 103
ZLOOD
2024-07-02
“How is it, Samuel?”
Samuel, the concertmaster of the Berlin Philharmonic, was

speechless after watching the videotape.
At first, he thought it was just a school talent show. He couldn’t

understand why the maestro was showing him this video.
However, the atmosphere changed dramatically when the young

conductor appeared on the screen.
“Unbelievable.”
There’s a saying that an orchestra’s capability can change with the

touch of a conductor’s hand.
Just like that, the orchestra in the video was not composed of
individually outstanding musicians. Yet, under the young
conductor’s touch, the resonance changed as if by magic.
Samuel felt a shiver run through his body as he watched the

delicate fingertips playing the orchestra like a giant instrument.
“It seems this child has been learning conducting for a very long
time. The way he meticulously guides each note and eerily catches
the pitch that deviates due to the musicians’ skills is incredible.
Moreover, the bold flow of the melody unfolding from his fingertips
is so impressive that it reminds me of the Empress Karas of
Austria.”
Samuel couldn’t hide his admiration. Watching the boy’s fingertips

made him think of many great maestros.
The climax of joy, rising like a roller coaster, resembled

Germany’s Thielemann, and the way he calmed the ensemble with a
soft and refined tone reminded Samuel of America’s Bilstine.
Conducting isn’t just about talent. It requires continuous

experience and rich expertise. But this…
“Maestro, what piece is the orchestra playing right now? No matter

how hard I try, I can’t think of the composer. Ivanov, Nogell,
Chabrier, Antonio. Who is it?”
Samuel listed numerous composers. None of them were composers who

produced masterpieces at the end of the Romantic era.
The piece the orchestra was playing in the video was as remarkable
as the young conductor’s meticulous conducting.
“It’s a composition by that boy.”
“Pardon?”
At that moment, the conductor’s movements came to a halt as if time

had stopped.
Samuel couldn’t take his eyes off the boy beyond the screen for a
long time.
What is this resonance? The impact imprinted on his mind was as

shocking as the first time he saw an orchestra perform.
“Maestro, who is that boy?”
“Hyun-ah, are you some kind of fortune teller?”
Chairman Wang, who had been playing Go, looked puzzled. But when I
remained silent, he pointed to the morning newspaper with a nod.
The headline announced in large letters that the IMF negotiation

team had arrived in Korea.
“Hasn’t everything happened exactly as you predicted so far? What

do you think will happen next?”
“For free?”
“You cheeky brat.”
I had no intention of saying more. Chairman Wang could already

guess what would happen in the future without me having to say
anything.
He wasn’t called the tycoon of the business world for nothing.

There was even a saying that the busiest person in South Korea
wasn’t the president but Son Jangwon of the Jeil Group.
“Soon, foreigners will come flooding in.”
It was a policy to attract foreign capital. With the foreign

exchange reserves dried up, there was no other choice.
Foreign capital would rush into the stock market and even real
estate with eyes wide open.
To stabilize the stock market, it was essential to block the influx

of hedge funds with national laws, but there was nothing Korea
could do at the moment.
In a word, it was like experiencing a war.
“Anyway, aren’t you going to take the prime cuts, Grandpa?”
Of course, the prime companies wouldn’t be sold off cheaply to

foreign capital. If I knew Chairman Wang of the Jeil Group, that
would be the case.
Chairman Wang made a curious expression. As if wondering what my

true intentions were.
“Talking with you, Hyun, it seems you should be holding a pen

instead of a violin. Your boldness and extraordinary brain make
your grandfather very curious about what kind of blueprint you will
draw. So, why did you come today, even though it’s not a Go day?”
The reason I came to see Chairman Wang was simple. There was
something I needed to take care of.
I put down the white stone and started pulling out a pile of
documents from my school bag.
Isn’t it ironic? The bag that usually held textbooks now contained
documents filled with technical terms. Chairman Wang seemed equally
intrigued.
“I’ve adjusted the investment list that Grandpa and others made.”
“Adjusted?”
“You said it was my job to determine whether it was real or fake.”
Chairman Wang chuckled as he received the pile of documents. It

wasn’t just a small investment, and it happened too quickly for him
to fully grasp.
As he quickly skimmed through the documents, Chairman Wang’s eyes

gradually showed curiosity.
“Hyun, I believe a smart kid like you knows that what’s written in
these documents isn’t just numbers. This is the only asset left to
you by Chairman Yoo. So, can you explain to me why you divided the
criteria like this?”
The first thing I did was gather all the scattered investment
sources into one place. I especially focused on foreign stocks. Not
the ones that would burst like bubbles later, but the giant
companies that would gradually grow.
However, it was difficult for even famous investors to judge

everything by looking at financial statements for just a few days,
so it was understandable that Chairman Wang looked puzzled.
“I should rephrase the question. Why are you showing this to me

when your grandpa is also here?”
“Chairman, you were the perfect person to act as an agent. As you

know, my grandpa doesn’t have much experience in this area.
Ultimately, I had already made a deal with you once.”
“A trustworthy agent?”
Chairman Wang burst into laughter. Certainly, it was a difficult

task to leave to my grandpa. Investments involving money become
complicated when blood relations are involved. Grandpa wouldn’t
just stand by and watch me lose money.
At that moment,
“Grandpa charges a very high fee. Is that okay with you?”
Of course, I had anticipated this when I decided to use Chairman

Wang as an agent.
I immediately flipped through the pages of the documents. There

were lists of properties in Korea that would later be absorbed by
foreign capital.
On another page, there were lists of different foreign companies.
Of course, Chairman Wang wouldn’t be interested in something like

this. But he would definitely be curious about what a young boy
like me would do.
Put options, leverage? No way. I already knew how to rake in money.

But I didn’t want to do that.
In this life, I just needed enough wealth to protect Dongju.
“Grandpa, invest with me here.”
Securing the prime cuts first was important.
“Director Kim, bring him in.”
At Chairman Wang’s call, Kim Sang-guk, the director of the Jeil

Group’s Strategic Planning Office, entered the reception room. He
was a man with a sharp jaw and piercing eyes. However, even he had
to be extremely cautious in front of Chairman Wang.
“You called for me, Chairman.”
Without a word, Chairman Wang handed the pile of documents to Kim

Sang-guk. As always, Kim Sang-guk carefully received the documents
and began to look through them immediately.
The reason Chairman Wang called him to Pyeongchang-dong was simple.
“Most of these are companies with investment value. But I don’t

think it’s right to focus only on these places after excluding all
the previous companies. As you know, the market situation can
change rapidly. While I need to analyze accurate data, some of
these places carry significant risks.”
“It’s more like gambling than investing?”
“Yes, Chairman. With my limited vision, that’s how it seems. Unless

you know in advance about the rise and fall of these companies.”
Chairman Wang nodded. Kim Sang-guk was a top talent within the Jeil
Group.
Despite having his immediate superior in front of him, he honestly

shared his thoughts. That’s why he was appointed as the head of the
Strategic Planning Office.
“Knowing the rise and fall in advance, huh.”
Chairman Wang recalled the look in Kang Hyun’s eyes when he pulled
out the documents from his school bag.
Wasn’t he just a young boy who had just entered high school? Yet,
seeing his eyes, Chairman Wang had to hold back his admiration.
His resolve seemed so firm. Despite dealing with vast sums of

money, he didn’t flinch. Could Chairman Wang himself have been so
composed at that age?
Surely, he had even appointed Chairman Wang as his agent. He had a

natural boldness.
“Director Kim, how likely do you think it is? Comparing the

previous list with the newly reorganized list.”
“If I were to invest, I would have chosen the former without

hesitation, Chairman.”
Kim Sang-guk didn’t understand. The former list seemed like a

perfect investment plan. But the latter, while appearing focused
and selective, clearly had risks. Without predicting the future,
such a list couldn’t have been made.
“Director Kim, could you have known that a foreign exchange crisis
was coming to our country? And that the government was hiding the
bailout?”
“If the foreign exchange crisis was imminent, I might have

anticipated it. But I wouldn’t have been certain. As I said, the
economy is unpredictable, Chairman.”
Chairman Wang recalled Kang Hyun’s voice when he made the deal. The
confident voice.
Chairman Wang picked up the second investment list with a curious

expression.
“I’m looking forward to seeing what future I’ve invested in.”
“My hands are aching.”
I was drawing notes on the staff continuously, even skipping lunch.

At some point, it became a routine to come to the studio every

morning and work on the score. New musical ideas kept coming, and I
couldn’t just sit idle.
At that moment,
“Do you want me to play it?”
It might have been my imagination, but it felt like the Guarneri

“Fiore” was gleaming, asking to be played.
I hadn’t played it properly since returning from the movie set. I

put down the score and stood up.
Zing—!
A sharp high note resonated through the bow, reaching the ceiling.
My long fingers moved freely on the shimmering strings like a
spider.
From trills and middle bowing techniques to bowing techniques

reminiscent of Paganini’s Caprices. It was a piece that pushed the
violinist to the extreme with its high level of difficulty.
“Huff, huff.”
Only when the sharp end of the bow pointed to the floor did I let
out the breath that had reached my throat.
I lost track of how many hours I had been practicing. But “Fiore”
still wanted to cry out more, making the strings shine even
brighter.
I was about to lift the bow again with a smile when I heard a
knock.
“A solo concert?”
Indeed, I had to acknowledge Director Im Hyera’s determination.
“I’m not thinking about it yet.”
“Hyun-ah, why don’t you reconsider? Do you know how many fans are
waiting for you? Since they found out you acquired the Guarneri,
reporters have been pestering Mi-hyun every day.”
It seemed the news of my acquisition of the Guarneri in Italy had

spread.
Anyone who loves violins would know about the Guarneri, one of the
three holy grails of violins. Besides, I also had a Stradivarius,
so it wasn’t hard to find out.
Come to think of it, I’ve already collected two of the three holy
grails.
“You must have many fans waiting overseas too.”
“Pardon?”
I couldn’t understand. Although I had won the Queen Elisabeth

Competition, it was already three years ago. During that time, I
hadn’t been active as a violinist at all.
“Take a look at this.”
At that moment, Director Im Hyera handed me a magazine.
It was the Gramophone, famous for its music reviews, with the
eternal maestro Gustav prominently featured on the cover.
“The eternal maestro Gustav’s most anticipated performance.”
Whose performance could it be? The Berlin Philharmonic, the London

Symphony, the Vienna Philharmonic. Or perhaps the performances of
violinists who had already passed away. Even with money, it was a
performance that could never be seen again.
However, Gustav’s answer was surprising.
“The solo concert of the violinist Hyun.”
Chapter 104
ZLOOD
2024-07-02
“Kang Hyun, it’s time for breakfast.”
As I went downstairs with a towel around my neck, a savory smell

tickled my nose.
I saw the now-familiar figure of Dr. Tikhonov. As always, he was

wearing an apron.
“Boss, today’s breakfast is Russian home-style. I’ve named it

‘Vladivostok’s Dawn.’”
The table was filled with a soup made from salmon and flatfish,
crepes with cream cheese, and a sweet and slightly tart pomegranate
juice. Russia had suddenly unfolded before my eyes on the dining
table.
No one had asked him, but Dr. Tikhonov loved to cook and serve
meals personally. I had tried to dissuade him, but what could I do?
He was so stubborn. He said that in Russia, cooking heartfelt meals
for people you’re grateful to is customary.
“Thank you for always preparing these meals, Doctor.”

As breakfast was nearing its end, Dr. Tikhonov suddenly looked at

me.
“Hyun, you seem a bit taller?”
It was welcome news to hear. Dr. Tikhonov was very observant. I had
also personally experienced my fingers growing longer when playing
the violin. Didn’t I have a memory of my fingers bleeding because
they were too short when I played Caprices in the past?
Today, the breakfast felt especially delicious.
“We’re here, Kang Hyun.”
It was the first day of the new semester. Thanks to Mr. Kim, the
driver, I arrived at Jeil High School, which looked similar to Jeil
Middle School. Well, it made sense since they were both under the
Jeil Foundation.
As soon as I entered the classroom, I felt the students’ gazes on

me. I pretended not to notice and sat down randomly.
“Hyun-ah.”
At that moment, a familiar figure who had been the concertmaster at

the last graduation ceremony approached me. It was Lee Jin-ho.
It seemed we were in the same class. Jin-ho had a bigger smile on

his face than ever.
But from earlier, I noticed girls from other classes and grades
passing by our class and glancing over.
“They’re all here to see you, Hyun.”
“Me?”
“You were already famous, but you became even more famous after the
graduation ceremony. I heard there’s even a fan club now?”
I had a feeling that school life wouldn’t be smooth sailing.
At that moment, the school gate opened, and a burly middle-aged man
entered. The stern-faced man scanned the room and wrote his name on
the blackboard.
As usual, after the homeroom teacher’s introduction, the students

started chatting among themselves.
“Kang Hyun.”
The homeroom teacher called me. I stood up without a word and

followed him, hearing whispers around me.
The place I followed the homeroom teacher to was none other than
the principal’s office. As the door opened, the pot-bellied
principal rushed out barefoot.
“Oh, Kang Hyun!”
Anyone would think he had known me for a long time.
It seemed to be the influence of Im Hyera, the director. Didn’t

Chairman Wang personally attend the Jeil Middle School graduation
ceremony as well? It was understandable why the pot-bellied
principal was so nervous and sweating. At that moment,
“Kang Hyun, could you give the congratulatory speech at the

entrance ceremony?”
“Pardon?”
“As you know, our Jeil High School holds the entrance ceremony
after the start of the semester. I would like you to give the
speech there, as the representative of the new students and a
famous violinist. Seeing how well you delivered the valedictory
speech at the graduation, I think you’ll do great.”
It seemed like I was becoming a specialist in giving speeches.
“Mi-hyun noona, you seem busy.”
The gallery was bustling with work. New paintings were coming in
waves, and the staff was having a hard time.
No wonder, considering each artwork ranged from a few hundred

million won to over a billion won. Even the slightest mistake in
displaying the new paintings was unacceptable.
“Hyun-ah, your school uniform changed? And you seem a bit taller
too.”
“Today is the first day of the new semester.”
“You seem to get more handsome by the day. New visitors to our
gallery often ask if you’re an aspiring actor.”
Mi-hyun noona, who seemed to have found a moment to breathe,

approached me.
When I first met her, she was a fresh-faced new employee, but now
she looked quite the career woman.
Maybe she remembered the help I had given her; Mi-hyun noona was
always particularly affectionate towards me.
“Hyun-ah, do you know which of these artworks is the most

expensive?”
At first glance, all the paintings looked similar. There was one
depicting a farmer and another showing a city reflected on a river.
But the one I pointed to was a painting with a single blue dot on a
white background.
“How, how did you know?”
Would you believe that this painting would be worth billions of won
in the future? How did I know? Because this painting was also
present when I worked under Im Hyera, the director.
Without saying a word, I waved and headed to the studio.
“Mozart, Brahms, Beethoven, Sarasate…”
There were countless repertoires suitable for a recital. It was a

feast of repertoires, lacking nothing regardless of what I chose.
But Maestro Gustav’s interview lingered in my mind like a fishbone.

Didn’t he say he wanted to see a solo recital by the violinist
Hyun?
At that moment,
“Hyun-ah, you were here.”
Director Im Hyera visited the studio just in time. She had a wide
smile on her face, and the reason was simple. I had decided to hold
a solo recital.
“What are you so worried about?”
“It’s my first solo recital. I can’t help but be concerned about

the repertoire.”
“Auntie doesn’t know as much about music as you do, Hyun, but do
you really need to use someone else’s pieces? Look at the scores
you’ve composed. You could almost build a tower with them.”
Over the past three years, I had written countless scores. However,
I wondered if those scores were ready to be revealed to the world.
To me, they still seemed far from perfect.
“By the way, who will play the piano? Even for a solo recital, you
need an accompaniment. If there’s a pianist you want, I’ll try my
best to arrange it.”
“It’s okay. I’ve already found someone.”
“What?”
She probably didn’t expect that I would find someone so quickly,

given that the recital was still some time away. Just as Director
Im Hyera was about to speak,
“Hyun-ah!”
It seemed he couldn’t be a nobleman. Baek Jung-hoon entered the

studio.
“Maestro, it seems that violinist Hyun will be holding a solo

recital.”
A gentle smile appeared on the wrinkled lips.
“Maestro, may I ask why you’ve been so eager to see violinist

Hyun’s solo recital? Honestly, I thought you would mention
Heifetz’s performance.”
Adam didn’t understand. No matter how talented Hyun was, he was

still a newcomer.
He assumed the maestro would want to hear Heifetz’s performance

again. Moreover, weren’t they fierce rivals before Heifetz passed
away?
“I’ve listened to Heifetz’s performances countless times in my

youth. I often attended his recitals secretly because I didn’t want
anyone to know due to the intense inferiority complex that consumed
me. But at some point, his performances started to delight my ears.
I couldn’t help but acknowledge him. You asked why I didn’t choose
Heifetz’s recital as the performance I most want to see?”
The teacup with floating petals trembled.
“I’ve already lived a long life. I don’t have much time left. Why
would I want to hear Heifetz’s performance again after I pass away?
Shouldn’t I listen to a living performer’s recital instead?”
“Maestro, does that mean you consider violinist Hyun to be on par

with Heifetz?”
“In time, I’m sure he will be. He might even surpass him.”
Adam was at a loss for words. He knew how significant Heifetz’s

name was in the world of violin.
If the 19th century was known as the era of Paganini, wasn’t the
20th century known as the era of Heifetz?
Yet, Gustav unhesitatingly claimed that Kang Hyun would surpass

Heifetz. It was a shocking statement for Adam.
“There’s a violin I received from Heifetz. It’s the one he played

for a very long time. The great virtuoso told me this as he was
passing away. ‘My old friend Gustav, if you find someone worthy of
this violin, give it to them without hesitation. If no such
violinist appears, turn it into ashes and scatter them over my
grave.’”
At that moment, the butler brought in an old violin.
“Sometimes, I play this violin to avoid forgetting its melodies.

Every time, it cries out, asking why I haven’t found a virtuoso to
play it yet. Maybe I’ll find one during this trip to Korea—a new
owner for this violin.”
Adam’s Adam’s apple bobbed prominently. Even from a glance, the

strings exuded an extraordinary aura.
“Hyung, can we try it one more time?”
At my question, Baek Jung-hoon nodded. We had been practicing for

almost a day and a half straight.
The piano’s role in a violin solo recital was significant. If the

ensemble wasn’t in sync, the pitch could get completely distorted.
In that sense, Baek Jung-hoon was the best accompanist who matched
my rhythm perfectly.
“Let’s start from the second movement again.”
Even though we stopped and restarted the performance, he didn’t

complain. It showed how much he trusted me.
When we paused for a break, he said,
“Hyun-ah, if you continue like this, your solo recital will be

sensational. I’ve never seen a violinist hold their first solo
recital with original compositions. If you release an album, it’ll
be a huge hit.”
Baek Jung-hoon continued to praise my scores. But to me, they still

seemed lacking.
“Hyung, let’s start again from the beginning.”
As if he knew I would say that, Baek Jung-hoon smiled and took his
place at the piano.
Under the full moon shining through the window, the melody
continued to resonate endlessly.
“Hyun-ah, did you stay up all night again?”

Director Im Hyera entered the studio, her mouth agape. The

synthesizer was cluttered with scores, and Baek Jung-hoon was
sleeping curled up on the sofa.
We had been practicing day and night to prepare for the solo
recital.
“Is it okay for Jung-hoon to stay here all the time?”
Baek Jung-hoon had started coming to the studio regularly again.
He had readily agreed when I asked if he could accompany me. It was

almost as if he was preparing for his own solo recital, his
enthusiasm making me feel a bit pressured.
“I thought you would be at Ichon-dong, so I sent it there.”
“What did you send?”
Director Im Hyera gave a mysterious smile. I shook my head,

puzzled, and woke up the sleeping Baek Jung-hoon.
After shaking him a few times, he woke up startled. His mouth was
wet with saliva, indicating he had fallen into a deep sleep.
“Hyung, let’s go have breakfast.”
Usually, I would have breakfast at the gallery, but today Director

Im Hyera insisted we eat at Ichon-dong.
Baek Jung-hoon was also visiting Ichon-dong for the first time.
“Hyun-ah, wouldn’t it be rude to visit like this so early in the

morning?”
“I’ve already informed them by phone. Grandpa said the more, the
merrier, so it’s okay.”
After all, Dr. Tikhonov also joined us for meals. One more person
wouldn’t be a problem.
“Oh?”
As we entered the Ichon-dong mansion, I heard a familiar voice from

the kitchen. Baek Jung-hoon cautiously followed behind me.
“Yooha?”
I saw a familiar face sitting at the dining table.
Chapter 105
ZLOOD
2024-07-02
“Ilseon, are you keeping everything well-oiled?”
At Chairman Wang’s question, Son Ilseon quickly stood up straight.
“Yes, Father.”
For the gears to run smoothly, alignment was important, but

lubrication was crucial as well.
Managing numerous subsidiaries without a single error was precisely

Son Ilseon’s role.
Constantly circulating funds from Jeil Life Insurance and the

foundation to ensure the well never ran dry.
“Especially in times like these, you must not let your guard down.
You must look not only at our own family but also at others. For
example, Daehan or Daesung Group. Do you understand what I mean?”
It wasn’t about helping them, but rather about keeping an eye on

companies that could become valuable assets.
Chairman Wang’s steps were surprisingly steady for his age. Even
his putting stance was comparable to that of a professional.
“What happened with the elders you met?”
“I distributed the money evenly. But I wonder if it’s necessary to

go this far in such an emergency situation. Especially to the
opposition side. Aren’t they too busy dealing with their own issues
right now?”
Chairman Wang turned his head and looked at Son Ilseon, having put
down his golf club.
His sharp eyes made Son Ilseon immediately tense up. Those eyes,
resembling a tiger’s, could send chills down anyone’s spine.
“The foreigners are coming in. Soon, they’ll try to devour all the
domestic companies. If they start choking the financial sector now,
how many domestic companies do you think will survive? I can assure
you, none will be left. Just keep distributing the money as you
always have. Make sure those old men aren’t disappointed. Even in
an emergency, politics in this country never stops.”
Chairman Wang suddenly thought of Kang Hyun. They often played Go

and exchanged philosophy.
Initially, it started as a way to teach him economics and broaden

his perspective, but over time, he realized naturally. This boy had
much deeper insight than he thought. In some ways, Kang Hyun
understood the market situation better than Ilseon, who was right
in front of him.
“Father, it would have been nice if Yooha had come to Gapyeong with
us today.”
Chairman Wang slowly shook his head.
“It’s fine. She can always be with her grandfather, but youthful
days never come back once they pass.”
At that moment, the golf ball flew in a parabolic arc towards the
hole cup.
“Mother, let me help you—!”
They looked like a mother-daughter pair in their warm interaction.
Son Yooha rolled up her sleeves to help her mother prepare a late
breakfast, but there was a strange look in her eyes. Even though
she hadn’t done anything wrong, it felt like she had.
“What took you so long?”
She even started questioning her. Baek Jung-hoon, who was eating
soup, quickly reached for his water glass. Judging by how he gulped
it down, he must have choked.
“I came early in the morning just to have a meal with oppa…”
Her pouting made her look incredibly cute. Now, Im Hyera’s curious
expression made sense.
“Yooha, what brings you to Korea all of a sudden?”
“It’s spring break in the States. And what do you mean, why? Aren’t
you happy to see me?”
She puffed out her cheeks and turned her head as if sulking.
Although she had grown up, her childhood demeanor hadn’t

disappeared. Even while eating, she kept passing food to me.
Mother watched her with a satisfied smile. After finishing our meal
and introducing Baek Jung-hoon to the family, Yooha looked at me
intently.
She wanted me to introduce her too.
“Uh, this is…”
I wasn’t sure how to explain. I couldn’t just introduce her like

the third-generation chaebols I met at banquets.
Then Yooha grabbed my arm and spoke instead.
“Hello, I’m Yooha, Hyun oppa’s eternal buddy.”

Eternal buddy?
Before I could say anything, Baek Jung-hoon nodded knowingly and

looked at me.
“Hyun, I thought you were in love with music. But I see you’re
enjoying a sweet romance. There’s a junior better than his senior.”
He looked at me with a proud expression, as if looking at a grown

younger brother. I had no time to explain. Yooha kept nodding while
holding my arm.
After finishing his meal, Baek Jung-hoon promptly left Ichon-dong,

saying, “I have a sense of discretion; how could I interfere more?”
“Oppa, I want to go to Namsan Tower.”
Of course, being Yooha who flew all the way from abroad to Korea,
there was no reason to refuse.
Moreover, my pockets were full. Not only did Mother give me some
pocket money, but Grandfather also discreetly handed me some cash.
It seemed like everyone was united in supporting Yooha.
“The cherry blossoms haven’t bloomed yet.”
Was that why she wanted to walk up to the Namsan Tower observatory?
“It’ll take about two more weeks for them to bloom.”
“That’s okay, as long as I’m with you, oppa.”
Her appearance was like that of a haughty cat, yet in front of me,
she was like a gentle puppy.
I never expected to visit Namsan Tower, which I hadn’t visited in

my past life, with Yooha.
We walked, inhaling the scent of spring in the air instead of

cherry blossoms.
“Where is it?”
“What are you looking for, Yooha?”
Before she could answer, Yooha discovered something and quickly

headed there.
Her destination was the place selling locks. Now I understood why
Yooha wanted to come to Namsan Tower. It must have been around this
time that couples started attaching love locks at Namsan Tower.
Yooha came running to me with a lock in her hand. It felt like

participating in various love superstitions from around the world,
starting with the Trevi Fountain.
“Oppa, hurry, let’s put the lock together!”
Whatever it was, as long as Yooha was happy.
“Yooha, do you like the food?”
“Yes, it’s really delicious—!”
By the time we came down from Namsan Tower, it was already getting
dark.
I thought I should at least feed her dinner, so we went to

Namdaemun Market. It was a diner I visited in my past life. Their
braised cutlassfish was to die for.
I carefully removed the bones from the cutlassfish and placed the
flesh on a spoon for her.
“Oh my, such lovely students have come for a meal. I’ll serve you
an egg fry each for free!”
The aunt, who looked younger than I remembered, spoke in a hearty

dialect and placed golden-brown fried eggs on our rice bowls.
Yooha politely bowed to the aunt. Though she looked like she was
heading towards being an ice queen, her heart was warmer than
anyone else’s.
“Oppa, I’m home tomorrow too. Can you spend time with me?”
“Is there somewhere you want to go?”
Yooha stopped eating and looked at me with a wide smile.
“I like being with you anywhere, oppa.”
“Are ticket inquiries flooding in already?”
Director Im Hyera couldn’t believe her ears. Although Kang Hyun’s

solo recital had been decided, there was still quite some time left
until the event.
“Ms. Mihyun, where did the inquiries come from?”
“They came from Japan and the UK. Yesterday, there was an inquiry
from the US.”
While she knew the interview with the eternal maestro Gustav would
have a significant impact, she didn’t expect it to be this much. It
was as if they had been waiting to contact her.
Especially in Japan, they were still sending love calls to release

Kang Hyun’s classical albums.
“Director, please take a look at this. It’s a record journal

released in Japan, and it features a story about Hyun.”
The record journal was released by a renowned name in the Japanese

classical music scene.
Flipping through the pages, Kang Hyun’s name appeared right from
the first page. The interviewee was none other than Hirose, the
queen of the field.
“From the moment I first met him, I awaited his performance. The
moment when the fantasy born with delight reveals its true form,
the world will welcome a virtuoso.”
What an incredible praise. It was natural for such admiration from

Hirose, a figure known as the grand dame of the Japanese classical
scene, to draw significant attention.
Im Hyera felt anew how extraordinary Kang Hyun was. Just how many
people had he influenced?
“Inform them that the solo recital will be held at the Seoul Arts
Center Concert Hall. Hyun and I have already discussed this, so
it’s okay to share this much information.”
The Seoul Arts Center Concert Hall wasn’t just a few hundred seats;
it had well over two thousand seats. It was a number that most
performers couldn’t handle.
However, Kang Hyun was rather pleased. He said it was the perfect
place to perform the music he envisioned.
“There are many inquiries about what repertoire he will perform.

What should I say?”
“Say no comment for now.”
In her heart, Director Im Hyera also wanted to ask what repertoire

Kang Hyun would use for his solo recital. The original compositions
she heard in Italy, though brief, left a profound impact on her.
But she couldn’t disturb Kang Hyun at this moment. Youthful

endeavors were more important than anything.
“So, this is where you create music, oppa?”

Of all places, she wanted to visit my studio. Yooha looked around

the studio with curiosity.
From the synthesizer I sometimes used as a pillow to the

instruments I used as blankets, everything must have seemed
fascinating to her.
“How many scores have you written?”
Just like Baek Jung-hoon, Yooha was astonished by the sight of the
scores.
Even though she was in the realm of socializing, she had learned
music. She knew how difficult composing was. So, seeing all these
scores naturally amazed her.
“Oppa, I heard you have a solo recital coming up? I don’t mind, so
please practice as much as you want. I don’t want to affect your
skills because of me.”
In fact, there was still plenty of time before the solo recital, so
I thought it would be okay to rest for a day.
However, seeing Yooha sitting on the sofa, eagerly listening, made

it impossible to just stay idle.
“Then I guess I’ll have to perform for my one and only audience
today.”
At the mention of a single audience, Yooha’s lips curled into a

smile.
I carefully took out the Guarneri violin from its case. The strings
seemed to gleam as if they were about to cry out in melody.
As I placed the Guarneri on my shoulder, my posture naturally fell

into place.
“Oppa, can you play that piece? The one you performed in Italy.”
I nodded briefly. The moment the bow touched the strings, a

refreshing breeze seemed to blow.
Cantabile, the bow slowly touching the strings, began to emit a

graceful melody. It was like singing.
The fingers pressing the strings expressed her swift steps with
trills.
Gradually, the bowing quickened. As it crossed the strings

strongly, it seemed to convey her trembling heart.
Zing—!
The melody of “Fiore” resonated as if bursting into bloom.

The left hand performed pizzicato like a heartbeat, while the right
hand holding the bow created a dazzling sound.
The notes were written while thinking of Yooha. From the moment she
first tugged at my sleeve to the days she smiled at me, everything
became a musical inspiration.
Time flowed like water.
When performing, I often entered a state of flow, where it felt

like nothing else existed.
Even though the sun had set and time had passed, the melody
continued to resound. I didn’t even know how many pieces I had
performed.
Yooha had already leaned back on the sofa and closed her eyes. The
smile on her lips indicated she was having a happy dream.
“Sleep well.”
I laid Yooha on the sofa and covered her with a blanket. Then I sat
down, leaning against it.
Creak—
How much time had passed? The studio door opened cautiously.
“Oh my, look at these kids.”
Director Im Hyera’s face lit up with a smile she couldn’t hide. In

her heart, she wanted to grab a camera and take a picture.
On the sofa, Yooha was lying with her eyes closed tightly, and
below her, Kang Hyun had fallen asleep crouching. They were holding
hands as if they had promised to do so.
Chapter 106
ZLOOD
2024-07-02
“Father―!”
The Ichon-dong mansion was noisy from the morning. The reason was
simple. A little uncle, who had been exiled to Jeju Island, had
come up to Seoul.
Reportedly, he came to Seoul Hospital to treat his diabetes, but he

didn’t seem like a sick person at all and looked quite healthy.
“Please forgive me just this once.”
His face was slick, making it clear that he had been eating three
square meals a day.
Knowing this, I should have recommended sending him to an

uninhabited island rather than Jeju Island to my grandfather.
Grandfather looked down at the little uncle, who was kneeling, with
a chilling gaze.
“Beomkyung, do you know that it has only been a year since you went
down to Jeju Island?”
“Father, although you said a year, to me it felt like a succession

of days as long as ten years. I have done a lot of reflection
during that time. I am still haunted by nightmares from my mistake
that day. Please, won’t you forgive me just this once?”
It was so absurd that I was at a loss for words. The scar on his
forehead had healed, making him seem fearless.
But on the other hand, I understood the little uncle’s urgency.
At a time when large corporations were falling like autumn leaves,

and big and small companies in South Korea were facing a wave of
bankruptcies like dominoes, Dongju was stronger than ever. Like an
impregnable fortress.
‘Tsk.’
It seemed he thought that if things continued this way, he might

lose all of Dongju. And it was true; my father’s position within
Dongju was gradually expanding. Especially after recruiting Dr.
Tikhonov’s team, he had established himself as a real power. It was
then.
“Father, I did not just sit around on the island. I wrote many
business plans with the determination that I would someday return
to the mainland.”
Little uncle started pulling out something from his briefcase.
“I have identified companies worth merging with Dongju among the

struggling businesses. I believe now is the perfect time to expand
our assets amidst this national crisis. Father―!”
“Father, this time Beomkyung is right. Although he deserves to be

beaten to death for his past mistakes, it seems he has genuinely
changed his mindset this time, which is why I brought him to Ichon-
dong. As the second son said, I think now is the time to grow
Dongju significantly at a low cost.”
Wasn’t it like watching Dumb and Dumber? The big uncle immediately
knelt beside the little uncle.
I finally understood what my uncles were thinking.
Currently, Dongju was in the stage of consolidating its internal

affairs. The cornerstone of this was none other than Graiphin and
my father.
They had initially opposed the development of new materials. Now

that they couldn’t change their stance, they decided to expand the
company. As the pie gets bigger, they would have more to gain.
However.
‘I wonder.’
Many companies were struggling with debt. From a foreign

perspective, South Korea would look like it was having a clearance
sale.
But could my uncles pick out companies with future growth

potential?
Could they find them faster than foreign corporate raiders? No way,
it was more plausible that the neighbor’s dog would walk on two
legs and talk. Also.
“Hyun, go to your room now.”
Grandfather’s hands were trembling as he checked the documents. His

tiger-like eyes immediately turned to the household items around
him.
On my way upstairs, there were successive sounds of two foreheads

being hit, echoing loudly.
“They thought they were being clever, didn’t they?”
Chairman Wang laughed heartily while holding a teacup. Listening to

stories from a close friend was as entertaining as any drama.
The time for hearty laughter that might offend each other had
passed. They had known and seen everything about each other for
decades.
“When I look at it, it seems Beomjin and Beomkyung don’t take after
you, old man. How can they be so transparent?”
In business, it was crucial for a manager not to reveal his true

intentions. Whether it was a warm spring day or a cold winter day
with a north wind blowing, maintaining composure was most
important.
In that sense, Chairman Yoo’s two sons were pretty much failures.
They were so anxious about their declining positions within the
company that they made reckless decisions.
“They must have been anxious. Mr. Kang is doing so well. What is
Mr. Kang’s position within Dongju now?”
“Don’t even ask. If it were up to me, I’d want to kick everyone out
and adopt Mr. Kang as my son. Except for the executives allied with
Beomjin, everyone supports Mr. Kang. But you know, a person who
exudes a human touch can be a double-edged sword. Mr. Kang’s nature
is not particularly ruthless, so I’m a bit worried.”
Chairman Wang nodded in understanding.
As a manager, there were times when one had to make decisions that
others couldn’t. Sometimes you had to be a bit cunning, and other
times you had to be cold-hearted.
“In that sense, Hyun fits perfectly. By the way, can I see the list
of companies Beomkyung compiled?”
Chairman Yoo handed over the documents, and Chairman Wang slowly
read through them. As expected from a joint effort of Beomjin and
Beomkyung, they had put considerable effort into persuading
Chairman Yoo.
But the result was sloppy. Yes, if there were any companies worth
their attention, they would have already been snapped up by others.
“Did Hyun also see these documents?”
“I showed them to him.”
“What did he say?”
Chairman Wang was curious about Kang Hyun’s evaluation. Having

played Go with him every weekend, he had seen the child’s excellent
foresight. He was eager to know what Hyun thought of the documents.
“He said his little uncle was acting like a child.”
“A child?”
“Like a kid who picks up anything that looks tasty and ends up with
a stomach ache.”
Chairman Wang laughed heartily again. It was indeed an excellent

analogy.
“By the way, isn’t Sonye’s wedding coming up soon?”
“That’s actually why I called you. Here, take this.”
Chairman Yoo handed over a pure white wedding invitation and licked
his dry lips.
“I don’t know why I couldn’t do what you did.”
“Don’t blame yourself. In the past, I wouldn’t have been any

different from you. They say time is undefeated and no parent can
win against their child. Given the current situation, we plan to
have a small family gathering. You and Hyun should come and have a
simple meal together.”
Chairman Yoo’s gaze was still fixed on the invitation as he slowly

nodded.
“The stage you want to perform on the most.”
Baek Junghoon answered the TV show host’s question without

hesitation.
“It has to be Carnegie Hall, right?”
New York’s Carnegie Hall, a place that musicians dream of.

Especially the Isaac Stern Auditorium, which symbolizes Carnegie
Hall, is a dream venue for anyone.
Unfortunately, it was a place where Baek Junghoon had yet to set

foot.
“Mr. Baek Junghoon, if you could pick an orchestra you want to

collaborate with, which would it be?”
“That’s a tough question. The world’s top philharmonic orchestras

are beyond my reach. Perhaps that’s why I continue to study music
abroad. I can’t afford to be a frog in a well.”
As the camera zoomed in on Baek Junghoon’s face, screams of

excitement erupted from the audience.
The audience was filled with many female fans. As he aged, his
features became more defined and chiseled, earning him the nickname
“Terius of the piano world.” He was as popular as any male singer
or sports star.
“I understand that all your concerts have concluded. What are your
future plans? Do you plan to study abroad in Europe again?”
“No, I plan to stay in Korea for a while.”
“So, can we interpret that as you planning additional performances

in Korea?”
Baek Junghoon shook his head briefly.
The host and the camera persistently followed his mouth, but no
further words came out.
It was still unknown that Baek Junghoon had accompanied Kang Hyun’s
solo recital as a pianist.
It was Im Hyera’s marketing strategy to reveal eye-catching news

step by step.
The host licked his lips regretfully.

“Mr. Baek Junghoon, you are considered a prodigy and an outstanding

pianist. Have you ever envied someone else’s talent? For example,
thinking, ‘This person might surpass me.’ Although I doubt it.”
“No, there is someone.”
The host’s eyes widened in surprise. It was a question meant to be

taken lightly, never expecting Baek Junghoon to answer
affirmatively.
Baek Junghoon paused and looked at the camera. Specifically.
“If it were a different field, I would have looked at their talent

with admiration. But the moment that person played the piano, I
realized. Ah, the god of music truly exists. If not, how could one
person possess so much talent?”
Beyond the camera, there was that person.
“So, it was around this time.”
It was a modest wedding. It was unusually quiet for a conglomerate

family’s wedding.
Although the times were unsettling, the small chapel was barely
filled with relatives, making it look like a wedding during a war.
“Oppa―!”
Out of nowhere, Son Yooha appeared and linked her arm with mine.
Grandfather watched us with a pleased look. Then, Son Yooha started
leading me somewhere.
“Let’s go greet my aunt, oppa.”
Led by Son Yooha, I arrived at the bridal waiting room.
There, a familiar face dressed in a pure white wedding dress was

sitting demurely. Although it was a familiar face only from my past
life.
“Aunt, you look so beautiful!”
“Oh my, Yooha is here. Yooha, you look more like your mother and
prettier each day. And who is this gentleman next to you?”
“Hello, I’m Kang Hyun.”
I bowed my head politely.
She was the first daughter of Chairman Wang and the eldest daughter
of the Jeil Group. Although I had only met her a few times with
Director Im Hyera in my past life, she was a woman etched clearly

in my mind.
A woman born into a conglomerate family but didn’t act like it. In
some ways, she was similar to my mother. She chose love over a
golden spoon.
The difference was.
“Chairman Wang’s decision.”
Chairman Wang had allowed his eldest daughter’s love. Unlike the
inadequate youngest who had a department store, she had nothing,
but today she looked happier than ever.
“Ah, you’re the boyfriend Yooha mentioned? You’re very handsome.

Yooha must take after me in her good taste in men.”
How well did she get along with Son Yooha? But she kept
scrutinizing my face as if she was still uncertain.
Not long after, the wedding ceremony began. Because there were so
few guests, it felt warm and intimate.
Chairman Wang had not invited guests to the wedding to consider his
son-in-law, who could be considered an ordinary person far removed
from the business world.
During the beautiful congratulatory song, I held my grandfather’s

hand. As many thoughts must be crossing his mind as the wrinkles on
his hands.
The wedding atmosphere was heartwarming. Of course, it was a

wedding Chairman Wang had already approved, and for the Son family
members, it was a celebration as the eldest daughter decided to
step away from management.
“Now I get it, you’re the violinist Hyun, right? My husband is a

huge fan.”
During the meal after the wedding, the bride Son Seonye finally
recognized me and clapped her hands in realization.
Then she brought over the groom in a hanbok and introduced him to
me. He had a calm and gentle appearance.
“I’m a big fan, violinist Hyun.”
The groom shook my hand and bowed, making me bow deeply in

response. Watching this, grandfather subtly spoke to me.
“How about performing a congratulatory song here, Hyun? To

celebrate the new life of the bride and groom.”
“A congratulatory song?”
Of course, he meant a violin performance. I thought grandfather’s

voice was quite low, but the groom was already looking at me with
anticipation.
However, it was difficult to find a violin right now. Just then, I

noticed the piano on the stage.
Yes, if there’s no violin, you can make do with the piano.
Chapter 107
ZLOOD
2024-07-02
“Would it be alright if I played a piece?”
Son Seon-ye’s face lit up like someone who had just won the
lottery, but soon turned into a frown. The reason was simple. There
was no way a small chapel would have a prepared violin. However, I
didn’t mind and took a step forward.
“Huh?”
As I sat on the piano bench, curious glances were directed at me.

While some people didn’t know me, Chairman Wang and Grandfather’s
eyes were filled with a peculiar curiosity. They seemed to doubt
how well I could play the piano.
I carefully uncovered the keyboard. The piano showed signs of age.

However, it seemed well-maintained by the chapel, as the tuning and
the depth of the white keys and high notes were consistent.
“This is a day where two people who love each other come together
to form a bond. Just as the weather is lovely on this bright spring
day, your future will be filled with happiness. There may be rainy
days, but as long as you two are together, there will be no
worries. To celebrate this new beginning, I humbly offer a piece.”
In fact, it was not two people, but three. Son Seon-ye was
pregnant. Later, it became well-known in business circles that not
only did she marry a commoner, but she also got pregnant before
marriage.
No matter, the child born from her womb would become famous in the
future. The name is the same as mine, making it more memorable.
“For the new life.”
With a light touch, I gently pressed the keys while maintaining the
weight of my arm. The signal that flowed through my sensitive touch
moved the hammers inside the piano to strike the strings.
The audience’s gaze focused on the first note. Sometimes my

fingertips, heated with sensitivity, pressed the keys and bounced
back like springs. My hands moved lightly and cheerfully, like a
child’s footsteps.
Then, legato, my fingers began to dance continuously without

breaking the musical flow. I carefully pressed the pedal to connect
each note. As the piano resonated with beautiful melodies, my
fingers started to move faster as if they had been waiting. The
audience couldn’t take their eyes off the smooth movement sliding
across the 88 keys.
It was like a long spider dancing brilliantly on a stage made of

black keys.
“One more time—!”
My fingers moved, making a cheerful sound as if they were bouncing

back. The smooth release made it hard to tell if I had pressed the
keys or not. It felt like the gentle laughter of a child in the
breeze of a cool summer day. The sensation that started from my
shoulders passed through my elbows and reached my fingertips.
As the final note resonated, the audience’s eyes were filled with a
sense of regret. It was probably because of the melody that
lingered in their ears at the last moment.
“I believe the remaining music will be created by the two of you

from now on.”
Just like leaving some blank space when drawing a picture, I left
the last part of the performance unfinished. To leave a deep
impression. For the laughter of new life.
“Hyun, do you want some milk?”
Chairman Wang seemed to have even figured out my taste by now.

After finishing the reception, we arrived at none other than the
grand mansion in Pyeongchang-dong.
However, the only people invited to the drawing room were

Grandfather, Son Yooha, and me. Chairman Wang’s children had to
lick their dry lips like dogs chasing after chickens.
“Come to think of it, Chairman Yoo, your children aren’t that

different from mine. Even during the ceremony, they exchanged
glances and kept each other in check.”
Indeed, the competition for succession in a conglomerate family is

said to be a war without gunfire. Especially the third son, Son
Hong-won, had a fierce look in his eyes. Not only had he fallen out
of Chairman Wang’s favor, but he also lacked business skills and
had lived his entire life as a jobless person.
During this wedding, he was trying to appeal to Chairman Wang in

any way he could, hoping to get some benefit. Grandfather probably
saw a bit of my youngest uncle in him.
“Chairman Son, you have someone who can oversee all of them.”
“Yes, they’re all busy watching not just me but also Il-seon’s
moves. I’m like a setting sun.”
Chairman Wang’s lips formed a faint smile, contrary to his words.

It was only natural, as he had already established a clear
successor. If it weren’t for Son Il-seon, a fierce competition for
succession could have broken out, likened to a fratricidal war.
But why was Grandfather subtly glancing at me? Chairman Wang openly
discussed the succession even in front of Son Yooha and me. It was
almost as if he was considering Son Yooha as the successor to Son
Il-seon.
“Hyun, since when have you been so good at playing the piano?”
At that moment, the old fox suddenly brought up the topic without
any warning. Both Grandfather and Son Yooha were visibly curious at
Chairman Wang’s question.
“Among those who attended the wedding, those who didn’t know you
were a violinist thought you were a famous piano prodigy. Even your
Grandfather was almost fooled. While it’s said that musicians
should be skilled in all instruments, I didn’t expect it to be to
that extent. The piece you played was wonderful. What was the name
of the piece?”
It was an original composition resembling a spring waltz. Son

Yooha, who had seen numerous sheet music in my studio, nodded in
understanding, but Grandfather and Chairman Wang couldn’t hide
their surprise. They probably never imagined that I had composed a
piano piece as well.
It didn’t have a proper name and was simply numbered because I

couldn’t think of a fitting title.
“Old man, did you know? Seon-ye decided on the name of the child
she’s going to have today.”
“Chairman Son, Seon-ye is pregnant?”
“I’ve been so out of it that I forgot to mention it. I refrained

from talking about it, fearing it would become gossip, so it ended
up being a secret even from you. She’s already three months along.”
Judging by the wide eyes, Yooha didn’t know either. Thanks to the
wide wedding dress, it wasn’t noticeable at the ceremony.
“Seon-ye said she wants to name the child ‘Hyun.’ She was moved
when she saw Hyun at the ceremony. She hopes the child in her womb
will grow up to be like Kang Hyun. Old man, isn’t our eldest
daughter’s dream too big?”
Don’t worry. Even if the old fox doesn’t wish for it, the child
will turn out that way.
As we were chatting over a glass of milk, Chairman Wang suddenly

brought up a new topic.
“Hyun, do you know which company is sponsoring your upcoming solo

concert?”
“Isn’t it Cheil Group?”
“Yes, it’s your Grandfather’s company.”
Since I was affiliated with a gallery under the Cheil Foundation, I

thought it was natural. However, Chairman Wang’s wrinkled eyes were
filled with mischief.
“Come by my company when you have time.”
“Pardon?”
“Don’t you want to see the company that’s sponsoring you?”
Rather than being unwilling, I was more taken aback. Wasn’t Cheil
Group the company I had longed for so much in my past life? A
company I once swore loyalty to.
“Fresh air—!”
A white woman wearing large sunglasses stretched her arms toward

the sky and shouted. Although she was in a business class seat, her
body felt as crumpled as wrinkled paper after the long flight.
Sharon, the editor of Gramophone, instinctively reached for a
cigarette before realizing she was still at the airport.
“If I had lost the bet with Adam again, I wouldn’t have forgiven
myself. But to think that kid turned out to be the violinist Hyun.”
Sharon recalled her previous visit to Seoul to meet the violinist

Hyun. She had met a rather cheeky child at an unknown restaurant.
That was three years ago. She was curious to see how much he had
changed.
Even the eternal maestro Gustav had praised him. Moreover, now he
was holding a solo concert. As the blonde beauty walked, the
bustling airport quickly fell silent. Even the women, as well as
the men, glanced at Sharon. It was as if she was walking down a
runway.
Click-clack.
The only sound in the airport was the clicking of her high heels as
people swallowed nervously.
“We’re here, ma’am.”

“Thank you, Mr. Taxi.”
With the help of a friendly taxi driver, Sharon arrived at a

gallery. It was an unusual place for the studio of a sensitive
musician. Moreover, she had heard that the gallery’s owner was a
wealthy Asian. It made sense since the violinist Hyun was also part
of a royal family.
“How can I help you?”
The gallery’s female staffer widened her eyes as she confirmed

Sharon’s identity. Although foreigners occasionally visited, it was
the first time seeing someone who looked like a model. Her golden
hair shimmering in the sunlight was like a scene from a movie.
Moreover, this place was invitation-only.
“I’m here to meet the violinist Hyun.”
When Sharon conveyed in a British accent that she was here to meet
Hyun, another female staffer quickly appeared from inside the
gallery. She bowed to Sharon and responded fluently in English.
“My name is Kim Mi-hyun, and I work at the Im Hyera Gallery. I’m
sorry, but the violinist Hyun is currently out. How can I relay
your message?”
At the staffer’s question, Sharon suddenly felt like playing a

prank. She took off her sunglasses with her long fingers, revealing
a bright smile. Her smile was so beautiful that the staffer opened
her eyes wider.
“Just tell him the noisy lady stopped by.”
Is this how a salmon feels when it swims upstream to its

birthplace? I had worked so hard to step into the headquarters of
Cheil Group in Seocho-dong in my past life.
As the memories of those days, filled with power and greed, flashed
through my mind like a panorama.
“Um, how may I help you?”
A female staffer guiding the lobby looked at me curiously.
Of course, I was wearing a school uniform, so I must have looked

like a student. If I had looked like a peddler, a security guard
would have been called instead of her.
I nodded briefly and said what Chairman Wang had instructed me to

say.
“If you mention Kang Hyun, they’ll know.”

At that moment, the staffer’s eyes widened. She immediately went to

the desk, made a call, and then returned with a polite bow, erasing
the friendly demeanor she had just shown.
Suddenly, all eyes in the lobby were focused on me. Anyone would
think an important buyer had arrived at Cheil Group.
What on earth did the old fox tell them?
“Please follow me.”
The structure of the headquarters hadn’t changed much. Although in

my previous life the building had been expanded and modernized,
that was something time would solve.
The staffer, visibly tense, guided me. The headquarters of Cheil

Group was so large and maze-like that it could be described as a
jungle, but I knew it well enough to walk with my eyes closed.
‘If we go this way, for sure.’
I finally understood why the staffer was so nervous. She looked

like a calf being led to the slaughterhouse.
You naturally feel it when working in a company. When visiting a

superior, you feel tense for no reason, as if your body is
shrinking in the cold.
Especially when you’re about to meet the future owner of this

massive Cheil Group.
“You must have had a long journey, Hyun.”
It was my first time sitting face-to-face with President Son Il-

seon alone. Although it had happened in my previous life, I
couldn’t even dare to look him straight in the eye back then.
“The Chairman suggested you tour the company. Think of it as a

field trip and feel free to look around.”
I couldn’t grasp what Chairman Wang was thinking. He was always a

person with a large enough character that I couldn’t easily judge.
Son Il-seon looked at me with sharp eyes. As time goes by and his
eyes become more honed, he will become a tiger no less than
Chairman Wang.
“Hyun, which department would you most like to visit?”
Would I want to go to the legal team I was once associated with?

No, there’s no point in going there without any cherished memories.
There was a place I had always wanted to visit while working at

Cheil Group. But it wasn’t a place just anyone could enter.
The place Chairman Wang created and Son Il-seon perfected, known as
the brain of Cheil Group.
“The Strategy Planning Office.”
Chapter 108
ZLOOD
2024-07-02
“How may I help you?”
It was an elderly gentleman wearing a fedora.
“I came to see my daughter-in-law.”
“What?”
The female employee at the gallery asked in confusion. At that

moment, another staff member, who recognized the elderly
gentleman’s face, hurriedly ran out and bowed.
“Chairman, you’re here.”
At the word ‘Chairman,’ the jaw of the employee who first responded
turned slowly, almost in slow motion. There stood Chairman Wang,
smiling playfully.
“Father, why didn’t you come with Secretary Choi?”
“Come on, I’m not a child. It’s not bad to come alone once in a
while.”
“Father, I’m sure the new employee must have been startled. It’s a
relief that Mihyun recognized you quickly. If she hadn’t, you would
have kept teasing the new employee, wouldn’t you?”
Chairman Wang moved on without denying the accusation. The gallery

was filled with works by renowned artists.
Chairman Wang stopped in front of a painting with a blue dot on a

pure white canvas.
“This would look good in the entrance hall.”
“You have a good eye, Father.”
Even though it was a piece worth billions of won, Chairman Wang

picked and chose items as if he were at a local market. Since it
was a gallery under the Jeil Foundation, in a way, it was almost
like Chairman Wang’s own property.
“You said you wanted to take charge of the foundation?”
“Yes, Father.”
Chairman Wang liked his daughter-in-law. She had significant

ambitions. Taking charge of the Jeil Foundation was akin to holding
the financial lifeline of the Jeil Group.
If she were just greedy without the ability to back it up, it would
be shameless, but she was highly competent. If she had been born a
man, she would have already been a major figure.
“You know that Hyun went to Seocho-dong today, right?”
“Yes, Father. But why did you send Hyun to Seocho-dong?”
“To judge what kind of person he is. There’s a big difference

between theoretical knowledge and real-life experience.”
The Jeil Group, with its numerous subsidiaries and countless

employees, could paralyze an ordinary person upon seeing its true
scale.
“I just got a call from Ilseon. Do you know where Hyun wanted to go
first?”
“The management planning department, perhaps?”
“I wouldn’t be surprised by that. He said he wanted to go to the

strategic planning office.”
Chairman Wang let out a pleased laugh.
The strategic planning office was the real brain of the Jeil Group.
It was a department shrouded in secrecy within the group.
Chairman Wang was extremely curious about how Kang Hyun would
perform there. At that moment,
“Why is it so noisy?”
From outside came the sound of someone speaking English. Chairman

Wang and Im Hyera walked outside.
There stood Kim Mihyun facing a white woman who looked like a
model.
“It’s been a while.”
The structure was old and faded, but it was essentially the same as
before. The Jeil Group headquarters had Chairman Wang’s touch in
every aspect, from construction to internal structure.
There were even rumors that a famed geomancer and a fortune teller
had arranged the department locations.
Perhaps because of that, even with organizational restructuring,

departments rarely moved.
“Hmm.”
If you walked past the left corner from here, you would reach the
management support department, and if you went up the stairs, you
would find the management planning team.
In a past life, I was on friendly terms with the general affairs

staff. They handled welfare support and funds, so speaking well
with them could upgrade an airplane seat from business to first
class.
“Hyun, have you been here before?”
Oh no, I must have walked excitedly, lost in old memories.

President Son Ilseon was looking at me curiously.
I shook my head and calmed my excited steps. But President Son

Ilseon still looked puzzled. And then,
“The strategic planning office, huh.”
In my past life, it was the place I had so wanted to visit.
It was the most mysterious department within the Jeil Group, akin
to Area 51 in Nevada’s Mojave Desert.
It was so mysterious that you rarely saw their faces, and they
didn’t even talk to other employees.
Moreover, there were no new hires in the strategic planning office.
Most of the staff were experienced professionals, making it an

unusual department with no entry-level positions. Rumor had it that
an ordinary-looking middle-aged man there was a former colonel from
the military intelligence, and that the strategic planning office
was tightly controlled by former Federal Reserve employees.
It was similar to the rumor about aliens being in Area 51.
“It’s fortunate that the planning chief is giving a report today.”
It was my first visit to the strategic planning office. While I had

a rough idea of its location, I had never peeked inside.
Because of this, I imagined it to be filled with advanced gadgets

straight out of a sci-fi movie, using AI and big data like in
Minority Report.
But it turns out people are the same everywhere. Besides, it was
still the ‘90s.
“Impressive.”
Even with President Son Ilseon’s visit, the strategic planning

office was bustling.
The employees varied in age, but they all had sharp eyes.
Only exceptional talents could set foot in this place.
“President, you’re here.”
Seeing the planning chief bow to President Son Ilseon, I tried to

hide my surprise.
I knew him. In my past life, he was someone I frequently saw while

preparing to run for Congress under my three-term assemblyman’s
father-in-law.
A man with a chiseled jaw and sharp eyes. Why was I surprised?
Because this man was the Prime Minister back then.
“I’ll now discuss the future directions for Daehan, Daeseong Group,
and the foreign companies listed in the prepared proposal.”
It looked like an ordinary presentation.
But the people present weren’t ordinary, including President Son

Ilseon and some unknown executives.
The presenter was none other than the chief of the strategic
planning office.
I, wearing a school uniform, also sat among them, but no one

questioned it since I was with President Son Ilseon.
“Impressive.”
As the presentation progressed, I couldn’t help but be amazed. I

had heard so much about the strategic planning office’s reputation,
but I didn’t expect it to be this impressive.
They were boldly predicting the downfall of leading companies like

Daehan and Daeseong, as well as future market trends as if they
were fortune-telling.
Moreover, their future assessments of foreign companies matched

much of what I knew.
“Hyun, what do you think? Do you agree with Planning Chief Kim
Sang-guk’s analysis?”
President Son Ilseon looked at me. All eyes in the meeting room
focused on me. I knew why President Son Ilseon was asking me this.
Planning Chief Kim Sang-guk looked puzzled. What should I do?

“I don’t agree entirely. Let me explain my thoughts on the future

assessments of the foreign companies mentioned by the chief.
Regarding the LAS company’s future assessment, you gave it a
failing grade as an investment target, but I disagree. There’s a
point you overlooked.”
Chief Kim Sang-guk looked bewildered at my counter-argument. The

other executives were equally surprised.
But President Son Ilseon listened intently without a word, so Chief

Kim Sang-guk erased his expression and listened seriously to my
explanation.
The debate continued. The meeting content could easily be mistaken

for an intellectual discussion.
The other executives couldn’t hide their astonishment anymore.
“President, may I ask a question?”
When President Son Ilseon nodded briefly, Chief Kim Sang-guk looked
at me. His gaze was oddly similar to Chairman Wang’s, filled with
ambition beneath his sharp eyes.
“Who is this student? Did he study the presentation material

beforehand? He’s good enough to be recruited into the strategic
planning office.”
“Chief Kim, didn’t the chairman give you the foreign investment
draft directly?”
“Yes, that’s correct.”
At that moment, President Son Ilseon looked straight at me. Chief

Kim Sang-guk still seemed confused.
Of course, I couldn’t say it myself. That I was the one who wrote
the foreign investment draft.
“Noona, are you okay?”
Did something happen that I didn’t know about? Did the work wear
her out? Kim Mihyun looked several years older.
The reason was simple. Today, right before a rare golden holiday,
unexpected visitors came.
“By the way, Hyun, there was a foreigner here to see you.”
“A foreigner?”
“She was a woman with incredibly long legs, like a supermodel. She
didn’t leave a business card and just said you’d know her if I
mentioned a noisy lady.”
A noisy lady? That’s news to me.
At first, I thought it might be Anna from Russia, but she didn’t

describe her as a model. Anna had good proportions but lacked the
height for modeling.
“Also, there’s another guest who’s been waiting for you for a long
time. She seemed quite upset.”
“Another guest?”
Kim Mihyun nodded with a playful expression. She didn’t tell me who
it was, but I had a good guess.
“Oppa!”
Sure enough, as soon as I opened the studio door, a large cat

leaped into my arms.
Son Yooha looked up at me. I was now a bit taller than her.
Son Yooha pouted adorably. I knew why the Ice Queen was acting this
way.
“Sorry, I should have spent more time with you while you’re in
Korea, but I’ve been busy lately.”
If only it were just the recital preparations. Unfortunately, my

school schedule in Korea didn’t align with the spring break, so I
had to attend classes on weekdays.
“It’s okay as long as you know.”
Son Yooha continued pouting. Like in my past life, I had no clue

how to handle a woman’s feelings. But I couldn’t just do nothing.
And then,
Growl.
Son Yooha’s stomach growled loudly. Her pouting face turned red
like a ripe persimmon.
I smiled and patted her head.
“Oppa will make you dinner.”
“Make dinner?”
Yes, despite appearances, I have a solid background in living

alone. Even after getting married in my past life, I traveled
abroad frequently. My wife wasn’t the type to cook either.
In the annex of the gallery, there was a place where Director Im

Hyera enjoyed brunch every morning. It had a kitchen.
“Is it good?”
“Yes!”
I didn’t make anything fancy. Just soybean paste stew with chopped
green onions and large chunks of tofu, and fried eggs.
But Son Yooha ate happily as if she were enjoying a feast. It was
as if she had forgotten her earlier sulkiness.
When she shyly asked for another bowl of rice, I couldn’t help but
laugh.
“Sure, eat a lot so you can grow quickly.”
“Don’t worry, I’ll be taller than you soon!”
Sorry, but this oppa is going to have a growth spurt soon.
After finishing the delicious dinner, we returned to the studio.
“Oppa, teach me the violin.”
“What?”
“I’m learning the violin again. I want to play the piece you played
for me.”
Come to think of it, Son Yooha also learned the violin.
I handed her one of the practice violins in the studio. But the
piece she wanted to play was quite challenging.
Her fingers and posture were awkward. Understandable, given she

hadn’t played in a long time.
“Oppa, help me.”
I nodded and was about to correct her posture.
“No, hold me from behind and play like you’re guiding me. I heard
that helps you learn faster.”
“What?”
Son Yooha continued speaking, suppressing her embarrassment.
It seemed her goal wasn’t just to play the violin. Who showed her
“Ghost” anyway?
But her shy expression was quite cute. I suppressed a laugh and
moved behind her, aligning my shoulders and arms with hers.
As if we were one body playing together.
Chapter 109
ZLOOD
2024-07-02
“Yooha, are you still awake?”
A small hand is busy packing.
“Mother, I am currently busy.”
Even the pink suitcase she prepared was no ordinary sight.
Going back to America? If that were the case, her face would look
sad. But right now, Son Yooha’s face was excited, like a child the
day before a picnic.
Exaggerating a bit, even the full moon in the night sky wouldn’t
shine as brightly as her face now.
“Anyone would think you were going on an overseas trip. Do you

really need that much luggage for a day trip? If you drag around
such a big suitcase, Hyun might find it inconvenient.”
At that moment, Son Yooha quickly lifted her head. Then she pressed
her lips together, clearly showing signs of deep thought.
Im Hyera was beyond baffled. The child who had insisted on packing
so much suddenly changed her stance just because Hyun might find it
inconvenient.
“I’ll pack the luggage for you. How about we enjoy some tea time
together, mother and daughter?”
“Mother, I’ll bring the tea. I don’t want to wake up the

housekeeper.”
“My, my, our Yooha has grown up so much. I already brought it.”
Son Yooha had grown considerably, both in appearance and inner

maturity.
In fact, since she was young, she had never caused her parents much
worry. She was a very bright child, though it was a bit
disappointing that she lacked the usual cuteness seen at that age.
In that sense, Im Hyera was grateful to Hyun these days. The once
cold and aloof child now had warm eyes.
It was then.
“Mother, what did you like about father?”
Son Yooha looked at her mother with curious eyes. It was

understandable. Im Hyera and Son Ilseon seemed like an unlikely
pair at first glance.
Im Hyera was a woman with a strong personality, even stronger than

most men. No wonder Chairman Wang joked that if she were his child,
he would have chosen her as his successor without hesitation.
“At first, I didn’t like him. You know, your father is not from
Gyeongsang-do, but he is extremely blunt. But without me realizing,
he was always taking care of me. I fell for that. And most
importantly, wasn’t your grandfather very gentle? When you get
married, you must also consider the elders in the family. I can’t
believe I’m saying all this in front of a child.”
“Then I am already accepted. Hyun oppa’s grandfather and aunt and

uncle are very kind to me.”
“Huh?”
Son Yooha smiled happily and lifted her teacup. Im Hyera let out a
laugh and looked at her daughter.
Seeing her so happy, there was nothing more to say. Whether it

ended as a simple first love or turned into a long-lasting
relationship was up to them.
“But Yooha, why did you ask Hyun to travel to Busan together?”
Of all places, why Busan? Son Yooha hated water due to a trauma
from falling into a swimming pool when she was young.
However, Son Yooha just winked like a fairy with a secret and
didn’t answer.
“Oppa, here—!”
The eggshell was peeled, revealing the white inside. Egg and soda
were the best for train trips.
Son Yooha’s face was full of excitement as she handed me the peeled
egg. Her eyes, which always seemed cold and aloof, were now curved
like crescent moons.
On the Saemaeul-ho heading to Busan, there were all sorts of

people.
From college students going on an MT to Busan instead of Gapyeong

to merchants bringing goods from Dongdaemun early in the morning.
Oh, and there were also people peeking at us from behind their
newspapers.
Who were they? Of course, they were the bodyguards following Son
Yooha. No way would a chaebol’s child travel to Busan alone.
“Oppa, I want to eat this!”
She was like a fish in water. She was already on her third water
tteok from a stall in front of Busan Station. Worried she might get
indigestion, I poured some fish cake broth into a white paper cup
for her.
“Oppa, can we go to Nampo-dong?”
“Sure, let’s go. You’ll be going back to America next week, so you
should enjoy your last weekend to the fullest.”
Instead of Starbucks, there were coffee shops, and the streets were
lined with second-hand clothing stores.
The city’s budget seemed tight, as the sidewalk blocks were so

uneven that it was hard to tell if they were paved or not. After
all, it was the 90s.
The bodyguards were having a hard time, following us from a

distance with their eyes peeled so as not to lose us.
“Let’s buy this, oppa.”
It was a stall selling shabby accessories. It looked so shabby that

no one was even browsing, but Son Yooha’s eyes were already fixed
on a silver ring.
It looked like a ring made from a coin with a hole drilled in it.
Before I knew it, Son Yooha had finished paying and was forcing the
ring onto my finger.
It fit as if it had been measured for my finger.
“It fits perfectly—!”
Well, since we came all the way to Busan for a day trip, this much
should be fine.
“Wow, are you students from Seoul? Your skin is so fair and pretty.
I’ll fill this plate with fresh seafood for you. If you eat a plate
of sashimi here, it’s like you’ve seen all of Beombawi—!”
It was around the time we arrived at Gwangalli after passing

Haeundae.
The fish market ladies’ touting at the night sea doesn’t

discriminate against travelers by their age. This sight probably
hasn’t changed even after twenty years.
I wanted to have a plate of sashimi and a glass of soju, but Son

Yooha was still clinging to my side with bright eyes.
“Oppa, can we go to Chungmu?”
“Chungmu?”
“Yes. The magazine said it’s the Naples of the East.”
She was referring to Tongyeong, which had merged with Chungmu a few
years ago.
It wasn’t mid-June, the longest day of the year, but the sun was
still hot. Since it was still a long time until sunset, we headed
to the ferry terminal together.
“Oppa, let’s take a photo!”
As soon as we arrived at the harbor, I took a photo of her with the

red lighthouse in the background. The click of the camera was
perfect; indeed, disposable cameras were the best for trips.
When the cries of seagulls sparked a musical idea in my mind.
Growl.
Son Yooha, embarrassed, held her stomach and smiled shyly. At times
like this, I wondered if she was really the ice queen I knew.
We soothed our hunger with Chungmu gimbap and udon and roamed
around Tongyeong until evening came.
It was time to head back to Seoul. But.
“Yooha, they say this is the last ferry. We need to hurry.”
For some reason, Son Yooha kept dawdling. She said she left the
camera behind and then pretended her shoelaces were untied,
stalling for time.
Finally, just before reaching the pier, she ran into the restroom
of the passenger terminal, claiming her stomach hurt.
How much time had passed? With the sound of the ferry leaving in
the distance, Son Yooha cautiously walked out.
“Sorry, oppa.”
I almost burst out laughing. Despite the tiny voice like an ant,
her face was blushing with a shy smile.
What a sly fox. But the bodyguards following us would figure out a
way to get us on another ferry, so there was no need to worry.
But,
Huh?
The bodyguards who had been following us so diligently were nowhere

to be seen.
“What did Chief Kim say?”
Deep curiosity showed in the wrinkled eyes.
“He said it felt like seeing a ghost. He had dealt with many
talented people in the strategy planning department, but he had
never seen anyone so boldly exploit gaps. It felt like the person
knew in advance how he would respond, making him almost feel like
his mind was being read.”
“Whoa.”
Chairman Wang let out an admiring exclamation.
Who was Chief Kim? He was the head of the strategy planning
department and a scholar of Jeil Group, personally nurtured by
Chairman Wang.
He was an outstanding talent, to the extent that he was called a

genius among geniuses. Otherwise, would he have been entrusted with
the brain of Jeil Group, the strategy planning department?
“And did he say anything else?”
“Actually, there is more.”
A moment of hesitation passed over Son Ilseon’s face. It was Chief

Kim’s impression, but it was somewhat exaggerated.
Under the chairman’s continued urging, Son Ilseon had no choice but
to speak.
“He said it was the second time.”
“The second time for what?”
“The second time he felt like his mind was being read. The first
time was when he met you, Chairman. Although it wasn’t as chilling
as when he met you, he said it felt somewhat exaggerated.”
Chairman Wang licked his dry lips with a hint of regret.
Since Kang Hyun had first mentioned the strategy planning

department as the place he wanted to go, his interest had been
piqued. And now, to have argued so fiercely with the head of the
strategy planning department.
Without considerable boldness, it would be difficult to assert

oneself among such formidable executives. Even seasoned executives
often felt suffocated listening to Chief Kim’s presentations.
And yet, he had acted like a fish in water among them. It was a
pity not to have witnessed the scene with his own eyes.
‘Yes, Chairman Yoo mentioned it before.’
Didn’t Chairman Yoo tell him about it before? How Kang Hyun had
boldly hit the mark against executives who opposed new material
development.
What he thought was an exaggeration turned out to be an

understatement compared to what happened in the strategy planning
department.
“Hyun, what do you want for dinner?”
Chairman Im Hyera cautiously opened the door to the studio and

spoke, but no answer came.
Kang Hyun was just staring intently at the score, continuously

jotting down notes on the staff.
His concentration was so intense that even a natural disaster

wouldn’t make him blink.
In the end, Chairman Im Hyera shook her head and closed the door.
He had been like this for the past few days, with the solo concert
just around the corner.
“Are you still working?”
Just then, Baek Jung-hoon opened the studio door and came in. He
wore the same expression as Chairman Im Hyera, with his mouth
agape.
The incomplete sheets of music scattered on the floor looked like a

scene from Amadeus.
Already, it had been several hours of intense concentration. If you

put a wig on that boy sitting in the chair, he could be called the
Mozart of the East.
“Whew, finished—!”
At that moment, Kang Hyun stretched his arms toward the ceiling and
shouted.
“Oh, hyung, when did you come in?”

“Anyone would think a tiger could carry you away without you
noticing. Why do you keep revising? Even the unrevised score would
astonish people. They say geniuses are perfectionists, and seeing
you, Hyun, I guess it’s not wrong.”
“I want to give my best since people are coming to listen to my

music.”
Baek Jung-hoon smiled as if he had expected this. A person with

innate talent was working so fiercely.
“By the way, Hyun, did you sleep out last weekend?”
“What?”
“Chairman Im Hyera said you went to Busan and stayed the night.
They say a quiet cat climbs the stove first.”
Baek Jung-hoon squinted his eyes and looked at Kang Hyun.
“The ferry was the last one, so I had no choice.”
“A ferry? No way—!”
“Hyung, I’m still a high school student. What are you imagining?”
Kang Hyun smiled as if he couldn’t believe it.
Baek Jung-hoon, known as the Terius of pianists, was as clueless

about dating as Kang Hyun. No wonder there were even rumors that
Baek Jung-hoon liked men.
“Stop talking and let’s practice together, okay?”
“Alright, I came here determined to practice all night.”
Baek Jung-hoon chuckled and headed to the piano bench.
When was the last time playing the piano was this enjoyable? When
playing in harmony with Kang Hyun, adrenaline surged through his
body.
Surely, those who collaborated with the geniuses of the past felt
the same way.
It was only natural to feel the joy of being a musician rather than
jealousy and envy.
“By the way, Hyun, nothing happened while you were staying in
Busan?”
“I told you, nothing happened.”
“Come on, you’re dating, right?”

As Kang Hyun tried to change the subject and picked up his violin
case, Baek Jung-hoon suddenly dashed towards him with wide eyes.
Baek Jung-hoon unexpectedly grabbed Kang Hyun’s hand and exclaimed

in awe.
“You’re already wearing a ring—!”
The silver ring on Kang Hyun’s finger was gleaming brilliantly,

catching Baek Jung-hoon’s eye.
Chapter 110
ZLOOD
2024-07-02
“What a perfect day to go out for a walk.”
In the sunny month of May, I would normally be giving Go lessons in

Pyeongchang-dong at this time, but now, instead of Go stones in my
hand, I held a golf club.
Chairman Wang himself had arranged this outing for me, knowing that
I had been cooped up practicing for my solo recital.
“Manager Kim, it’s your turn.”
At Chairman Wang’s words, Manager Kim Sang-guk from the Strategic

Planning Office bowed politely and received the golf club from the
caddy.
He looked as stiff as someone playing golf for the first time. It

made sense, as playing a round at the Gapyeong Country Club with
Chairman Wang was a significant event in itself.
Especially since President Son Il-sun was also with us, the tension
must have been doubled.
“Reminds me of the old days.”
The Gapyeong Country Club was personally designed by Chairman Wang,

featuring luxurious bonsai and rare ancient trees.
When I first set foot here in my past life, I had looked just like
Manager Kim Sang-guk does now.
There was even a legend within the Jeil Group: if you played more
than three rounds at Gapyeong, you’d eventually find yourself
promoted to an executive position.
Later on, this place would become a major stage for company
politics and networking. I wondered how many times I’d been here in
this life.
“Manager Kim, you can’t hit so clumsily. Have you forgotten this is
a betting game? Hit it with the same vigor as when you present in
the conference room. Even I’m helping you, am I not?”
“Yes, Chairman, I’ll correct it right away!”
“Hyun-ah, don’t you have anything to say? At this rate, I’ll end up
treating you to a meal. Hehe.”
Manager Kim Sang-guk, filled with a surge of energy from Chairman

Wang’s words, was now fully focused.
Somehow, I ended up in a team with Manager Kim Sang-guk, while

Chairman Wang and his son formed the other team.
Isn’t it unbalanced since it’s Chairman Wang’s home ground?

Nonsense. My golf skills were nearly semi-pro level.
“Manager Kim, if I may suggest, when you hit a draw, rotate your
right hip inward faster. And slightly move your right foot back.
You’re too stiff right now.”
I wanted to teach him the proper grip from scratch, but telling a
nervous person anything would only backfire.
As expected, his stiff swing ended with the golf ball weakly
landing in the bunker.
While Manager Kim showed a disappointed expression, a broad smile

spread across Chairman Wang’s face.
“Hyun-ah, what should we do? This is a dilemma.”
He looked triumphant as if he was repaying the humiliation he had

suffered during Go lessons. I should have known from the moment he
suggested this outing to Gapyeong.
Moreover, Manager Kim, who was so competent in the Strategic

Planning Office, was completely out of his element on the golf
course.
Some people are like that, aren’t they? They look like they’d be
good at sports but have no knack for ball games. Manager Kim was
just that type. But.
“Don’t worry.”
I had been continuously loosening my hands and wrists, knowing this

might happen.
In golf, there’s a saying: amateurs fear bunker shots the most,

while pros find them easier than approach shots.
As if holding a violin, I smoothly adjusted my swing position until

the clubface aligned with my gaze.
It seemed like a relaxed rotation, but.
Whack—!
With a crisp sound, the golf ball flew in a perfect arc.
Growl—!
The savory smell of grilled chicken ribs made my stomach rumble.

Every time we played a round in Gapyeong, we always visited this
chicken ribs place. As expected, the taste was phenomenal.
I couldn’t help but think that I had finally found the true taste
of chicken ribs here that I had searched so hard for during my time
as a legal officer in Gangwon-do.
“Sigh, I can’t beat Hyun. I thought I could finally treat him to a

meal thanks to Manager Kim, but no.”
Manager Kim showed a sheepish expression, and President Son Il-sun

nodded as if he had expected this outcome.
Having played several rounds together, he probably knew my skills

to some extent.
If I put my mind to it, I could finish 18 holes in under 80

strokes.
“Manager Kim, we’ll have to play rounds together whenever we have

time. Next time, you’ll be on my team. I’ll teach you how to putt
rigorously. Hahaha.”
Manager Kim’s face showed undeniable gratitude. Even if he was a

subsidiary president, not just anyone could earn Chairman Wang’s
trust so easily. Today was a big break for Manager Kim.
But why did Chairman Wang call Manager Kim today? It couldn’t have
been just for bonding.
Then.
“Manager Kim, do you know why I brought you to Gapyeong today?”
Chairman Wang spoke as if reading my mind.
In the serious atmosphere, Manager Kim put down his chopsticks, his
Adam’s apple bobbing nervously. His tension was palpable even to
me, sitting across from him.
Despite his wolf-like sharp features, he seemed helpless in front

of the tiger-like Chairman Wang. Such was the law of nature.
“It’s to introduce you to a new recruit.”
“Chairman, what do you mean by that?”
What was he talking about? The Strategic Planning Office didn’t use
the term “new recruit.” Most people there were seasoned
professionals from other fields.
And was Manager Kim in a position to be introduced to a new

recruit, especially in a chicken ribs restaurant?
“This young man here.”
With that, Chairman Wang placed his hand on my shoulder.
“Manager Kim, you already know Hyun, don’t you? Didn’t you have
debates in the conference room? With his boldness and courage, he’s
more than qualified. Though he looks young, he’s as cunning as an
old fox. No, sometimes he even shows the traits of a tiger, so be
careful. He’s not someone to be taken lightly just because he’s
young. Even when playing Go with me, he’s never shown any
deference. Sigh.”
“Grandfather?”
Wasn’t this bewildering? But Manager Kim and President Son Il-sun
were listening intently, nodding in agreement.
What on earth was going on?
“Hyun-ah, let’s put our Go games on hold for a while.”
“Pardon?”
“Once a week, go meet Manager Kim.”
It was as if I had just completed a tutorial in a game. Chairman

Wang smiled as if something amusing was about to happen.
“Now that your theoretical lessons with me are over, it’s time for
some fieldwork, don’t you think?”
“Ms. Mi-hyun, it’s already sold out?”
Director Im Hyera couldn’t believe it even as she heard the report.
This wasn’t just any concert hall; it was the Seoul Arts Center’s
concert hall, which seated over 2,500 people.
Moreover, ticket sales were only available through phone and

offline methods due to the times. Yet, it sold out in less than an
hour.
“The ticket sales ratio is quite high for international buyers?”
“Yes, Director. We’re also trying to quickly understand how this

happened as we’re taken aback.”
“No, I had a rough idea this might happen, but…”
Even before the solo recital was announced, there were already many
interested parties. But this was beyond expectations.
South Korea had long been considered a barren land for classical
music.
There were doubts about whether all seats would be filled for an
unverified first solo recital, but the overwhelming response from
abroad was unexpected.
Despite the early morning hours in their time zones, the phones
kept ringing off the hook.
It was so surprising that even the emergency team from the telecom
company came out to investigate the influx of calls. Kang Hyun’s
popularity far exceeded Director Im Hyera’s expectations.
“We’re still receiving continuous booking calls, and the Seoul Arts
Center is also getting inquiries from overseas.”
“Inquiries about booking? But it’s already sold out.”
“No, most of the calls are requests to expand the number of

reserved seats in the concert hall.”
At this point, it was almost frightening. How had news of Kang Hyun
spread so far and wide overseas?
In fact, Director Im Hyera wasn’t aware, but Kang Hyun’s popularity

spanned multiple fields.
From his debut, he had stirred up the classical music world, and
his success and mystery as a composer named HYUN had been proven
numerous times.
“Newspapers are also requesting to publish articles about the sold-

out solo recital. Given that the recital has a charitable aspect
and is expected to draw a significant number of foreign tourists,
they believe it could help classical music establish a strong
foothold in Korea.”
Indeed, in times when every dollar mattered, Kang Hyun was the only
musician bringing in such foreign currency.
If it weren’t for the Jeil Group, newspapers would have written

multiple articles about this intriguing topic. It was a day worth
celebrating.
But.
“Ms. Mi-hyun, where is Hyun right now?”
“Fieldwork, huh.”
I felt not just a headache but a throbbing pain. What on earth was
that old fox planning?
At the same time, my heart raced with excitement, a paradoxical

situation that made me think it was quite ironic. The Strategic
Planning Office was a department I had always wanted to join in my
past life.
But.
“Tsk.”
That wasn’t the priority right now. My solo recital was just next
week. Shaking off the thoughts, I nodded my head to clear my mind.
However.
“Ah!”
Ah—!
I shouted, and the echo reverberated back from the ceiling.
The concert hall still needed some remodeling, though it had shed
its early reputation as an “art bathhouse.”
However, the lower mid-range still echoed in some of the more

secluded parts of the 2nd and 3rd floors.
These areas needed to be checked in advance to make necessary

preparations.
Normally, this would be the job of the staff at the Seoul Arts
Center, but without specialized sound measurement equipment, it was
a difficult task.
“He’s here, Director.”
Besides, as you know, my ears are extremely sensitive. I thought it

wouldn’t hurt to do a rehearsal and inspect the concert hall.
The director of the Seoul Arts Center looked at me as if I were a

ghost.
“Kang Hyun, you are truly amazing. Even experts have a hard time
pinpointing these issues, and yet you can. It’s no wonder the
audience dislikes the 3rd floor. I didn’t realize the slope was
this steep since I’d always been in the 2nd-floor box seats.”
“If you stay in the office, I could just write down the seat
numbers for you.”
“No, if Kang Hyun is inspecting it himself, I must join.”
The director had become an ardent fan of mine after the London
Symphony encore performance.
Though he graduated with a degree in English literature and was a

classical music novice, his passion had grown immensely after the
London Symphony, leading to continuous remodeling of the Seoul Arts
Center.
By the time we had inspected the entire concert hall of over 2,000
seats, the director seemed out of breath but followed me without
complaint.
Thanks to him, the other staff must have been having a hard time.
With the director working so hard, they must have felt pressured.
“Kang Hyun, aren’t you nervous? Many famous musicians have held
solo recitals in this concert hall, but none of them were
unafraid.”
“I’m nervous too, Director.”
“You look different, though.”
I chuckled.
Just as the director said, rather than being nervous, I felt more
excited looking at the vast audience seats. I had passed the stage
of being intimidated by people’s attention.
At that moment, a staff member from the Seoul Arts Center hurriedly
ran towards us.
“Kang Hyun, you have visitors.”
“Yes, Director. Please feel free to go see them.”
“No, Kang Hyun, your visitors have come.”
What was this about? How did my visitors find their way to the
Seoul Arts Center? How did they even know I was here?
Curious, I walked towards the office.
When I opened the door, unexpected people were waiting for me.
“Hyun, you’re holding a solo recital and didn’t give us tickets?”
“Long time no see, Hyun. Honestly, I’m more excited about your
chicken stew than your recital.”
“Eric, it’s not polite to prioritize food over your friend. In

China, they say obesity is a friend of laziness.”
Aren’t these the friends I shared joys and sorrows with at the
Chappelle?
William from England, Zhang Yan from China, and Eric, who looked
like a Viking from Northern Europe.
I was so stunned that I couldn’t speak when another guest arrived,

opening the door belatedly.
“Hyun—!”
The girl with flowing platinum blonde hair and striking green eyes,
Anna, joyfully hugged me.
My throat bobbed involuntarily. Shouldn’t I now call her a young

lady?
Chapter 111
ZLOOD
2024-07-02
“Got it―!”
The cello’s melody bounced like a spring, mirroring the beating

heart of the performer.
“Emanuel, what’s made you so happy?”
Dmitri, the concertmaster of the London Symphony, looked at Emanuel

with a puzzled expression.
It wasn’t just Emanuel. The faces of the other members also had an
inexplicable flush.
At that moment, Emanuel stopped playing, wore a meaningful

expression, and held up three fingers.
“Dmitri, there have been exactly three times in my life when I was
most desperate. The first was when I came out of my mother’s womb
into this world, the second was when I auditioned to join the
London Symphony, and the third was just yesterday at dawn, when I
was trying to get a ticket for Hyun’s solo concert.”
“What! Hyun’s solo concert?”

The voice was so shocked that it seemed like ripples would form in
Dmitri’s cold eyes.
“Dmitri, did you not know?”
Of course, it was a solo concert happening far across the world.

Moreover, Dmitri lived as if he had built a wall between himself
and the media. Practicing the violin all day, he couldn’t have
known.
“Since it’s a solo concert in Asia, Hyun probably didn’t think of

us. And since it’s his first solo concert, he must be quite
overwhelmed. This time, the members who are free decided to all go
to Korea together to see Hyun’s solo concert.”
“Then I must book a ticket as well.”
“They said all seats were sold out already? They sold out in an
hour.”
Dmitri’s face showed disbelief. He couldn’t believe that all the

seats had sold out in an hour.
He thought it might be a small concert hall, but when he heard it

was at the Seoul Arts Center Concert Hall, where the London
Symphony had performed, he couldn’t help but exclaim.
It hadn’t taken even half a day for the London Symphony to fill the
2,500 seats there.
It was then.
“The maestro is here.”
The door to the rehearsal room opened, and Spencer, the conductor
of the London Symphony, walked in. Even Spencer, who always
maintained a poker face, had the corners of his mouth turned up.
Dmitri stood up in astonishment.
“Dmitri, are you free next week?”
“Yes? Maestro?”
“We need to go to Korea together. There’s going to be an incredible

concert there. Ah, don’t worry about the tickets, I’ve already
booked them.”
At that moment, an irrepressible smile spread across Dmitri’s face.
“Welcome.”
As the door to the photo studio opened, the elderly photographer

bowed politely.
When he lifted his bowed head, the elderly photographer looked

visibly flustered.
It was understandable since foreigners had entered the old photo

studio located at the corner of an alley.
“Hyun, what is this place? Weren’t we going to a restaurant?”
Eric from Northern Europe rubbed his sleepy eyes and looked around
the photo studio. It must have been the jet lag causing his
drowsiness.
“I thought it would be nice to create some memories. Come to think

of it, we don’t have a single photo of us together from the
Chapelle.”
Taking photos with a film camera would have been nice, but the old
photo studio had its own charm.
Moreover, these friends had come all the way to Korea for my solo
concert. They might not know it now, but as time goes by, these old
memories captured will become irreplaceable happiness.
“Grandpa, please feel free to speak. I’ll interpret for you.”
“Then please move that big young man a bit to the side. The pretty
young lady, please come to the center a bit more.”
The photographer nodded and adjusted their positions. Especially

because of the big Eric, he had to change the composition several
times.
At first, the photographer grandpa was quite nervous, but as time

went by, he regained his original composure and showed his
professionalism.
“Everyone, please smile.”
Anyone watching might think they were shooting a slapstick comedy.

They all had awkward smiles on their faces.
I was no different. I had never gathered and taken photos with

friends like this in my past life.
“Shouldn’t we shout a slogan or something when taking the photo?

Like ‘For Hyun’s solo concert!’”
“Eric, we are not at a pub to drink beer. We are at a photo

studio.”
Eventually, when natural smiles appeared, the photo was taken with
a click. The photographer grandpa’s face was filled with a
satisfied smile.
Although the photos would only be ready in two days, this moment
had already become a cherished memory in the friends’ hearts.
“Just as I thought.”
It was when we entered Ichon-dong with the help of Mr. Kim, the
driver.
Seeing the neighborhood filled with detached houses with walls like
fortresses, William nodded.
Seeing my puzzled look, Zhang Yan explained from the side.
“There were rumors when Hyun was in Brussels. They said the student
taught by famous maestros from Asia was Hyun. Another rumor was
that Hyun was an heir to a royal family. Seeing this neighborhood
that resembles Beverly Hills, the latter seems more plausible.”
Indeed, the house in Ichon-dong was a rare mansion in the 90s.
“Hmm, I know another rumor.”
At that moment, Anna made a playful expression and looked back and
forth between William and me. William cleared his throat and looked
out the car window.
At Mr. Kim’s words, everyone turned their eyes to the mansion in

Ichon-dong.
As we walked across the garden, my grandfather and parents came out

to greet us. Since these friends had come from abroad for me, my
family would be grateful as well.
My grandfather welcomed each friend by shaking their hands one by

one, looking like a division commander in the military.
“Hyun, you really look like your grandfather.”
Anna whispered to me in a small voice.
I look like my grandfather? I had never thought about it.
“Your deep eyes look very similar. Maybe when you get older, you
will have a dignified aura like your grandfather.”
“Anna, I’m still a high school student. Are you already thinking
about me becoming a grandfather?”
“Hyun always feels like an oppa to me.”
Even though her appearance had become more lady-like, her

personality hadn’t changed much from three years ago.
I understood why Anna saw me as an oppa. Before performances, I had

even made funny faces to ease her tension.
It was then.
“Oppa―!”
Son Yooha was waiting for me at the entrance. But as she smiled
brightly at me, her expression hardened when she saw Anna following
behind.
Quick-witted William commented,
“It’s going to be a fiery dinner.”
“What? Are we having a barbecue tonight?”
Eric added belatedly, flaring his nostrils.
“A ghost?”
The dining table heated up quickly.
“In Moscow, Hyun was called ‘Little Ghost.’”
Had Anna learned storytelling somewhere? She started unraveling

stories.
She was talking about an episode at the Moscow Conservatory.

Although she was speaking in English, everyone understood. Of
course, I was interpreting for my mother.
“One of the professors confidently claimed that Tchaikovsky’s ghost

was moving inside Hyun. The undergraduates were so shocked on the
day of the inauguration when they found out that Hyun was a living
person, not a ghost. And on the days Hyun gave lectures in the main
hall, there wasn’t a single ant in the corridors of the Moscow
Conservatory.”
“This kid gave lectures?”
“Yes, Grandpa. Hyun gave lectures in the main hall, attended by

undergraduates and professors alike. After that day, another legend
was born at the Moscow Conservatory.”
My face felt very hot. I never imagined I would hear my story

through a third party.
My grandfather, parents, and even Yooha were all looking at me with

bright eyes.
My friends from Chapelle, who had already experienced me, were

calm, but there was a look of surprise on their faces. Especially
at the fact that I had lectured to the notoriously proud
undergraduates of the Moscow Conservatory.
“Hyun always surprises me. It was more challenging to get a ticket

for your solo concert than for an Elton John concert. When I heard
that the tickets were sold out early in the morning, I screamed
over the phone.”
William from England spoke as if complaining. I couldn’t help but

feel a bit sorry.
“Hyun, why did you hold your solo concert so late?”
Naturally, they were curious. Usually, the Queen Elisabeth Prize

winners hold a celebratory solo concert that year.
But I had been silent for the past three years, so they would find
it hard to understand.
“Because I didn’t think I was completely ready yet.”
Though my words were brief, my friends, being musicians, seemed to

understand my sensitive nature.
At that moment, Eric, who had been gnawing on ribs with both hands,
saw my hand and put down his ribs.
“Hyun, what’s with that ring? I haven’t seen it before.”
Though usually oblivious, he had sharp eyes at times like this.

Anna also looked at the ring with great interest.
At that moment, Yooha, who had been watching quietly, burst out as
if she had been waiting.
“It’s a couple ring―!”
‘Amazing.’
The long fingers on the piano keys rested as if they had done their
job.
Baek Junghoon’s face showed intense excitement.
Although he hadn’t understood why Kang Hyun pursued perfection by

revising the score a hundred times, after performing the complete
piece together, he was left speechless.
“Hyung, let’s stop here for today.”

“Yes, good idea. Our bodies are well warmed up now.”
The solo concert was just two days away. They had been practicing
all night.
Baek Junghoon’s hair was drenched as if he had been caught in a

downpour, and his shoulders to his waist were soaked with sweat.
Kang Hyun was no different. His arms were filled with rising
excitement.
He wanted to keep playing, but his arms were trembling, so he had

to stop.
“By the way, how are your friends doing?”
“They said they all went to Gyeongbokgung together today? I think

they are avoiding visiting the studio to not disturb my solo
concert practice.”
“If they visit the studio, they will be as surprised as I was when
I first came.”
Baek Junghoon’s gaze turned to the piled-up scores. A feast of

numerous musical ideas was right there.
For musicians, this place would seem like a utopia. It was then.
“Shall I give you one more piece?”
“What?”
Though said jokingly, Baek Junghoon was already swallowing his

saliva.
But he shook his head. Even though they were close, he couldn’t
accept it lightly. He knew very well the value of Kang Hyun’s
scores.
“Hyung, shall we play one more piece?”
“Are you sure?”
Although his arms were trembling slightly, Kang Hyun nodded without
hesitation.
Baek Junghoon saw that and smiled broadly. It was exactly what he
wanted.
Meanwhile,
At that time, numerous renowned figures were arriving at Gimpo

International Airport.
Though ordinary people unfamiliar with classical music wouldn’t

know, journalists covering classical music couldn’t help but be
astonished.
The journalists who had been waiting based on a tip from Director
Im Hyera kept swallowing their saliva.
“What on earth.”
What was going on?
Throughout the day, famous figures were arriving at intervals of a

few hours.
It started with Hirose, the queen of strings from Japan, followed

by Yuri, the lion of the Berlin Philharmonic, and then the members
of the London Symphony arriving together at the immigration gate,
making it feel like a dream.
Maestros and virtuosos from around the world were flocking to

Korea, a desert for classical music.
Late at night, when the last flight from Austria arrived, a

reporter couldn’t help but exclaim.
At the appearance of the eternal maestro, Gustav.
Chapter 112
ZLOOD
2024-07-02
“When on earth is he coming out?”
The audience was beginning to stir. All eyes were drawn to a woman
who appeared with the clicking sound of high heels.
“I am Hyera Im, the representative of Jeil Gallery. I would like to

inform you in advance that I will be handling the Q&A session on
behalf of our gallery’s violinist, Hyun, due to his solo recital
scheduled for tomorrow. We ask for your understanding as we
prioritize his condition.”
The journalists were taken aback. They hadn’t expected Hyera Im,
the chairwoman, to show up in person.
Normally, the journalists would have been bombarding her with

questions, but this time they couldn’t.
After all, she was the wife of the chairman of Jeil Group.
“Are you aware that maestros from all over the world have rushed to
attend? And that their purpose is to attend Mr. Kang Hyun’s solo
recital? What does Mr. Kang Hyun think about this?”
“He has no thoughts about it.”
“Excuse me?”
Hyera Im read from a prepared statement that Hyun had given her in
advance.
“No matter how famous the maestros and virtuosos in the audience
are, they are just members of the audience until the performance
ends. Right now, violinist Hyun is focused solely on successfully
completing the performance.”
As polite questions continued,
“Is there a reason why the repertoire hasn’t been disclosed even up
until now?”
“Most of the solo recital will feature violinist Hyun’s original

compositions. Not revealing the repertoire to the audience can be
compared to wrapping a gift. A gift wrapped nicely is more exciting
than one that’s completely visible, isn’t it?”
The room stirred again at the mention of original compositions. No

one had imagined that he would present his own compositions at his
first solo recital, let alone that ‘most’ of it would be original
pieces.
“The government seems to have a lot of interest as well. In these

tough times, it’s quite unusual for a musician to be earning
foreign currency. What are your thoughts on this?”
“I think it’s something I should naturally do as a citizen. Also, I

would like to inform you that a portion of the proceeds will be
donated.”
There were already rumors that the government, in an attempt to

boost the country’s mood and economy, had considered using Kang
Hyun in public service announcements, much like they had done with
successful sports stars.
At that moment,
“May I ask a question directly to Representative Hyera Im instead

of Mr. Kang Hyun?”
“Yes, that’s fine.”
“There are rumors that Mr. Kang Hyun has a fiancée. Is it true that
she is the granddaughter of Chairman Jangwon Son of Jeil Group?”
Cicadas were chirping loudly, confused by the unseasonable

scorching sun in May.
After refreshing myself with some cold tea from a street stall, I
saw children playing marbles as I walked. Passing by the laughter
of children playing around a utility pole, I entered an alley where
an old photo studio came into view.
“Student, wouldn’t it be impossible?”
The elderly photographer looked at me with a pitiful expression. I

had asked for permission to hang a photo I took with my friends in
the front of the studio.
“Just a moment, sir. Can I use the phone?”
The kind old man, who had always been respectful to me and my
friends, even though I was young, let me use the phone.
I picked up the faded receiver and called the hotel where my

friends were staying. Anna was out, so she couldn’t answer, but the
answers from the rest of my friends were unanimous. Especially
Eric, who laughed heartily and said,
“My face advertised in the streets of Asia. I guess I’ll be more

famous now. The old man has a good eye. I do look manly, don’t I?”
Nodding in agreement, the old man smiled brightly, truly happy. He

could have just printed another photo without our knowledge, but
his conscience didn’t allow it.
He thanked me endlessly for giving him permission. Even Anna, who

couldn’t take the call, would surely understand this gesture.
“Student, you don’t need to pay for the photo. Receiving such a
beautiful photo is enough for me.”
“No, sir. Please accept it. Otherwise, I won’t feel comfortable.

And please keep this frame safe. I’ll sign it on the back for you.”
“A signature?”
Sure, in just ten years, everyone in that frame will be famous

musicians. It might become quite valuable.
Just like when Einstein left a note instead of a tip for a waiter,
which later sold for millions at auction. Who knows, this photo
might appear on a valuable antiques show in the future.
It was my small gift to the kind old photographer.
Shouldn’t I be resting for tomorrow’s solo recital? Nonsense,

moving around as usual keeps me in better shape.
People who drink traditional herbal medicine before important exams

often get stomach aches in the exam hall.
Besides, the bothersome press conference was handled by Chairwoman

Hyera Im.
She seemed like a superior who deeply cared for her subordinates.
However, her words kept echoing in my mind.
“Don’t worry, Hyun, Auntie will take care of everything. Isn’t the
love of a son-in-law from a mother-in-law the greatest?”
Shaking my head, I entered the mansion in Ichon-dong. My mother was

watering the bonsai in the garden with a contented smile.
“Son, go inside quickly. Two young ladies have been waiting for you
in the kitchen.”
What is she talking about?
“Oppa!”
“Hyun!”
Entering the mansion, Yooha Son and Anna came out to greet me.
Before I could even say anything, they shoved plates at me.
One was a delicious-looking sandwich, and the other was fragrant

fried rice with eggs.
“Tell us which one tastes better!”
They said the same thing simultaneously, like mirror images.
It seems they’ve met a few times privately since our last meeting.
Perhaps they have some women’s talk that I’m unaware of.
Reluctantly, I took a bite of the sandwich and followed it with a

spoonful of fried rice.
Both dishes tasted like they were made by someone who had learned
to cook for a long time. It was hard to decide.
I wanted to say both were delicious, but their eyes were intense.
Eventually,
“I think I prefer the fried rice.”
At that moment, Yooha Son smiled victoriously and hugged me. Anyone
would think she had won an Olympic gold medal.
“I heard he uses two violins.”
Hirose’s face was full of curiosity.

“So, is that true?”
“Yes, ma’am. I heard that violinist Hyun will use both a

Stradivarius and a Guarneri in his solo recital.”
There have been cases of changing violins mid-recital, usually due

to minor issues. But changing instruments to present different
tones was rare.
Switching to an unfamiliar instrument abruptly is akin to changing

the repertoire.
Moreover, the Stradivarius and the Guarneri, though both string

instruments, had entirely different characteristics.
“Hyun always surprises me. Today’s accompanist is Jeonghoon,

right?”
“Yes, ma’am. Pianist Jeonghoon Baek will accompany him. This news
has been a hot topic in Korea for a few days. I heard Mr. Baek even
declined offers from prestigious overseas orchestras.”
“I understand his decision. I would have chosen Hyun too if I were

Jeonghoon. He pursues genuine music more than anyone else.”
Hirose had collaborated with Jeonghoon Baek before. She knew how
much he loved music.
Perhaps the most excited person today was Jeonghoon Baek, the
accompanist, who would be closest to the perfect and genuine
melodies.
“I see members of the London Symphony. The conductor of the Berlin

Philharmonic is seated too. Ma’am, Maestro Gustav has also
arrived.”
Manager Koro held back a sigh of admiration as he widened his eyes.
They had heard that famous figures would come, but this was beyond
expectations. It seemed like all the significant figures of the
classical world had gathered.
It felt like being in the eye of a storm.
“Koro, today we will just be one of the audience.”
At that moment, Hirose smiled faintly and became one of the

audience.
Over two thousand seats were filled to the brim.
Not only Koreans but also a significant number of foreigners were

present, an unprecedented event since the founding of the Seoul
Arts Center Concert Hall. It was proof of Hyun Kang’s soaring

popularity overseas.
There had been numerous inquiries from abroad about increasing the
number of seats in the concert hall.
William from England, Zhang Yan from China, Erik from Northern
Europe, and Anna from Russia were all reminded of how remarkable
their friend, who had shared joys and sorrows with them at the
Chapelle, really was.
The maestros and virtuosos whose names alone would make people
stand up were seated in the audience. Even Erik, who seemed like he
could chew iron, looked nervous.
“The pressure must be immense.”
They knew what it meant to perform on stage, especially for a debut

solo recital in front of such distinguished musicians.
However, Anna shook her head.
“No, if it’s Hyun, he’s probably preparing to go on stage as if

nothing happened.”
“Right. Just like Anna said, if it’s Hyun, that’s likely. He was
the only one who wasn’t nervous in Brussels, wasn’t he? As if he
had swallowed the word ‘nervous’.”
Everyone nodded in agreement with Zhang Yan.
Even at the Chapelle, where the melody of dawn echoed constantly,

and at the Palais des Beaux-Arts in Brussels, a stage every
violinist dreams of, Hyun had confidently presented his music.
Not to be judged, but for the audience.
At that moment,
“Huh?”
The concert hall, which had been dimly lit, suddenly went dark.
As the audience murmured in surprise at the unexpected power

outage,
Zing―!
A calming melody resonated from the invisible stage, soothing the

audience.
The audience stopped murmuring as if by magic. The clear and

delicate melody of Hyun’s violin was calming them.
The sound was too beautiful to be coming from the darkness.

Alexei, the dean of a Moscow conservatory, twitched his cheek as if

he had been hit by a gentle breeze by a tranquil lake.
“Not bad, cheeky kid.”
The first piece in a solo recital holds great significance. Yet,

Hyun chose to present an original composition. Though the piece’s
name was unknown, the audience listened intently.
In the darkness, the melody served as a guiding thread through a

maze.
As the tempo increased and the trill echoed like a heartbeat,
The chandeliers in the concert hall began to light up one by one.
The sequentially lit lights guided the audience’s way, finally

illuminating the stage.
Under the grand chandelier, a boy in a neat tailcoat stood, gazing

at the audience with piercing eyes.
It was like a painting. Moreover, the silver strings seemed to

shine even brighter as if they couldn’t wait any longer.
“The beginning is fantastic.”
At the queen of string’s quiet remark, the boy smiled.
Chapter 113
ZLOOD
2024-07-02
It was the beginning of a lyrical melody.
The full moon shimmering above the waves seemed to remind everyone
of Debussy’s Clair de Lune.
As Kang Hyun’s fingers delicately embroidered the shimmering

strings, the audience held their breath, their eyes and ears
captured by the stage.
The cheeks of the Russian maestro Alexei twitched incessantly. A

solo recital often takes on the nature of an autobiography. This is
because it vividly reveals the musician’s journey. But to think
that the first chapter of that autobiography would be an
unaccompanied piece, and moreover, an original composition.
‘Is this arrogant brat trying to knock out all the inspirations?’
Alexei felt as if he had been blindsided by a powerful blow. Surely

other maestros and virtuosos were feeling the same.
Kang Hyun, standing on stage, was as unrestrained as always. There

were no greetings, no gestures from the host.
He captivated the entire audience with just one melody. In the

blink of an eye, everyone was immersed in Kang Hyun’s world.
Then it happened.
Zing―!
A sharp high note pierced the ceiling of the concert hall, like a
ripple on a calm lakeside.
As the echoing melody ended, Hyun’s bow began to move fiercely. A

continuous flow of harmonics and trills, as if being played by two
violins, continued incessantly.
The thirty-second notes rushed across the staff as if his finger

joints might break.
‘Amazing.’
William couldn’t find the words. His friends’ reactions were likely
not much different.
William had been striving for the top since the Royal Academy of
Music. But he had encountered another wall at the Chapel.
He had always thought Hyun was better than them, but not to this
extent.
When he heard from Anna that Hyun had given lectures at the Moscow
Conservatory, he thought it was only about theoretical parts. He
didn’t think Hyun had been devoted to the violin for the past three
years. But, gulp―!
What is this immeasurable gap? Hyun hadn’t let go of his violin for
the past three years. The deepened melody said so.
Then Hyun smiled and bowed quickly in one direction. His fingers
cut through several notes precisely as if they were running several
times faster than others. It was a technique where the melody would
go astray if the breath was even slightly off.
William’s hands were already soaked with sweat, clenched tightly.
‘Goro, did you think of Carnegie Hall?’
Hirose could tell just from manager Goro’s eyes. He must have been
reminded of his own appearance at Carnegie Hall decades ago by
watching Hyun on stage now.
The Stradivarius, bathed in moonlight, gleamed particularly

brightly today. The audience must have already felt intense joy
from his bowing. Just as the audience at Carnegie Hall did decades
ago.
It was hard to believe that such a brilliant aura could come from
such a young body. The grand chandelier looked like a firefly in
comparison.
‘Antonio Stradivari was right.’
If someone other than the rightful owner touches their strings,

they will lose their sight to see the world and their ears to hear
the melody, just like the will left by the legendary instrument
maker Antonio, who is said to have sold his soul to the devil.
But on the day the rightful owner plays the strings of fantasy,
The world will welcome a great virtuoso.
“Whoo―!”
From the shoulder to the elbow to the fingertips, it felt like a

hot blade. It was such a silly thought that if cold water were
poured on me, steam might rise.
Still, the Stradivarius ‘Fantasia’ glistened as if it still had

something to say. Even after playing three unaccompanied pieces in
a row, it seemed unsatisfied.
Indeed, didn’t the black streaks of the red soundboard continue to

tempt me?
“Hyun, are you okay?”
Baek Junghoon cautiously asked about my condition.
“I didn’t understand why you structured it to have an intermission

after the unaccompanied piece instead of in the middle of the
performance, but now I do. The audience is completely dazed. The
performance ended, but no one can get up.”
“Really?”
“And look at your state, anyone would think you just had a fight on
stage. You’re as well honed as a gladiator. There won’t be any
problem with the collaboration, right?”
I nodded with a faint smile.
Baek Junghoon must have been anxious behind the curtain as well. I
could tell just by looking at his flushed face.
During the short intermission, I switched and tuned the violin. It

was the long-awaited appearance of the Guarneri.
When I reappeared on stage, thunderous applause erupted. It was a

tribute to the unaccompanied piece I had played earlier and the
newly appearing Baek Junghoon.
“Huh?”
A puzzled voice came from the audience. It was because there was no
page turner next to the pianist.
The more complex and numerous the notes, the more likely there is
to be a page turner to turn the pages of the sheet music. They are
closest to the performer but seem invisible, often calling
themselves the ghosts of the stage.
Occasionally, there are performances without a page turner, but

that is only possible with a repertoire that has been played for a
long time.
Moreover, isn’t it a collaboration that requires harmony? A

momentary mistake could easily become a butterfly effect and cause
a collapse.
‘Hyung, are you ready?’
I understood the audience’s puzzled looks. On the other hand, the

maestros and virtuosos were looking at us with interest.
At that moment, Baek Junghoon’s long fingers glided smoothly over

the black and white ice rink.
The depth of the keys and Baek Junghoon’s breath pierced the ears,
regardless of the countless gazes from the audience.
As the awaited hammer of the piano struck the strings, the bow was
lifted.
Thump thump thump.
A forlorn flower that had grown in the pouring rain was resonating
with the piano’s sound. The concerto had a completely different
feeling from the sharply refined unaccompanied piece.
Baek Junghoon’s fingers curved less, and the flesh at the tips of
his fingers pressed the keys very slowly. It was a simple finger
relaxation, but it gave a grand resonance more than any flashy
technique.
It was a continuous ensemble, as if pulling strings against each

other.
Hadn’t I practiced this piece until my fingertips split and the

gaps were torn?
Baek Junghoon was following my movements very well. At that moment,

my fingers moved frantically over the strings, resembling a spider.
It was a bowing method that seemed like the strings might tear
apart.
As the cool breeze fluttered the curtains, as if wiping the thick

sweat from Baek Junghoon’s chin.
Zing.
As if releasing a held breath, Fiore began to bloom.
“Did everyone see that just now?”
The Chinese maestro Deng Lun kept rubbing his eyes with his
sleeves. Even though it was already the second intermission, it was
hard to find anyone in the audience standing up. The deep afterglow
had captivated everyone.
“The final collaboration was truly divine. To think I would see

someone handle the violin like that in person. Violinist Hyun has
grown tremendously in the past three years. My heart still hasn’t
stopped pounding. Just like when I first saw him.”
The professors of the Shanghai International Music Academy

swallowed their saliva.
The decision to come to Korea was made thanks to the enthusiastic

push from the department head, Deng Lun.
Initially, they weren’t very interested in a solo recital by a

rising violinist. Moreover, wasn’t he not even from their own
country? But.
It was arrogance and misjudgment.
They never imagined such a grand concert hall existed in Korea, nor
that the people in the audience were all renowned musicians from
around the world.
At first, they thought they were dreaming. After all, due to the
somewhat closed nature of the Shanghai International Music Academy,
they had little interest in Kang Hyun, who had stirred the
classical music scene three years ago.
At that moment, Deng Lun glanced at the professor sitting next to

him. It was the next department head with the impressive thick
eyebrows.
“Professor Wang, what did you think of the collaboration between

violinist Hyun and pianist Baek Junghoon?”
“Unbelievable as it may be, it felt like pianist Baek Junghoon was

following along. Violinist Hyun was leading the way. General
audiences might not notice, but most musicians have probably
already realized it. There’s a skill gap between the two. That’s
why I was surprised. Until now, I would have unhesitatingly named
Baek Junghoon as the next great master representing Korea.”
Professor Wang’s face was filled with astonishment. Like the other
professors, he hadn’t expected much.
Even though Kang Hyun had stirred the classical music scene three
years ago, he hadn’t heard any news of the violinist during that
time.
But from the very first note to the collaboration with the pianist,
he couldn’t unclench his tightly gripped hands.
Soon, the murmuring audience quieted down in an instant. This was

because violinist Hyun was stepping onto the stage.
Everyone held their breath at Hyun’s composed gaze, and the

audience’s eyes filled with deep joy and excitement.
What kind of performance would he show this time? At that moment,

the Chinese maestro Deng Lun had a premonition.
“It seems like Korea will take the lead in Asia’s classical music
scene.”
None of the professors from the Shanghai National Music Academy

could disagree with that statement.
“Bravo―!”
The cheers and applause following the end of the repertoire were
natural. Sometimes, there are audiences who think it’s a virtue to
remain calm until the end of the repertoire, but it’s better to
cheer and whistle fervently. Musicians are never stingy with such
applause.
At the end of the deep afterglow, the sound of over 2,500 audience
members clapping simultaneously echoed throughout the hall as if an
earthquake had occurred.
An exclamation filled with emotion stopped the steps of the

violinist walking behind the curtain. As the boy turned around with
a helpless smile, the female audience members screamed with high-
pitched voices.
The blonde Sharon couldn’t help but exclaim. While pianist Baek
Junghoon, who had accompanied the performance, seemed bewildered by
such massive applause and cheers, Kang Hyun naturally accepted the
situation. As if he was born for it.
At that moment.
“As much as the audience wants me, I will respond with an encore.”
Seeing Kang Hyun skillfully interact with the audience,
“Where did he learn such perfect stage manners?”
Sharon was dumbfounded. Anyone would think he was a seasoned

veteran who had gone through countless performances.
Back in the day, the legendary Jascha Heifetz also said this. The
bow does not come down until the end of the applause.
As Kang Hyun moved, his whole body began to feel excited, like
meeting a first love. What kind of piece would he play this time?
“I hope I’m not too late.”
It was a fantastic encore performance. This solo recital would

undoubtedly lead to numerous columns and articles. The classical
music world would be abuzz, as expected.
Sharon felt deeply regretful. It was such a shame that this solo
recital was a one-time event.
“I must get an interview somehow. I can’t let it happen again like

last time when he didn’t remember me and called me a noisy woman.”
She never imagined that Hyun wouldn’t remember her. With her model-
like stature, distinct features, and flowing blonde hair, wasn’t
she quite memorable?
Anyway, that’s not important now. This was the perfect opportunity
after the solo recital. Once today passed, the foreign media’s
evaluation of Hyun would undoubtedly change.
“Violinist Hyun.”
She carefully opened the door to the waiting room. The outside was
noisy as the solo recital had just ended, but that wasn’t a
problem. There would be time before the autograph session. However,
as soon as Sharon opened the door and entered, she was petrified
like a stone.
‘What on earth.’
She felt like closing the door again. Even Sharon, who had a strong
personality, had never faced so many great masters in one place.
Starting with the eternal maestro Gustav, there were Hirose and
Spencer, and Yuri. Not to mention, Alexei from Russia and Deng Lun
from China were sitting together.
Behind them were not only the rising violinists but also pianist
Baek Junghoon, who had accompanied the performance, standing
nervously like a new employee.
Chapter 114
ZLOOD
2024-07-02
“Vodka martini, shaken, not stirred.”
It was a phrase that reminded one of James Bond.
“Bartender, I’ll have the same, please.”
There seemed to be an invisible current flowing between Spencer and

Yuri. Who would have thought they would choose the same hotel here
in distant South Korea?
The bartender’s face showed clear signs of nervousness due to the

unexpected contest between the two gentlemen with unpleasant
expressions.
“How did you find the solo recital, Maestro Spencer?”
“It was excellent. I never imagined he would be so bold as to

feature his own compositions. What did you think, Maestro Yuri?”
“I agree. I’m already looking forward to seeing what kind of

performances violinist Hyun will bring to the Berlin Philharmonic.”
Spencer furrowed his brow. However, admitting that he was caught by

such a simple ploy would be like admitting he was a novice, so he
tried hard not to show his expression.
Nonetheless, it was indeed impressive. Didn’t he captivate an

audience of over 2,500 people?
The mysterious musical feast and skillful stage manners reminded

everyone once again that Kang Hyun was a born genius.
Moreover, wasn’t it amazing even after the performance ended?
“Violinist Hyun’s nerve is truly something to be acknowledged. I’ve

never seen anyone speak so calmly in front of the eternal maestro,
Gustav.”
It was when the recital ended, and maestros and virtuosos gathered
in one place.
Even well-known musicians were holding their breath with tension,

but Kang Hyun acted no different from usual. He spoke neither too
much nor too little to anyone.
Who among the new talents could converse so comfortably with

Gustav?
Certainly, it would be hard to find even among the maestros. They

looked as if they were old friends.
“What do you think the eternal maestro Gustav gave to Hyun as a

gift? It seems like no one knows. Do you know, Maestro Spencer?”
“I don’t know either, but I’ll find out and let you know when
violinist Hyun joins the London Symphony.”
Yuri frowned. The bartender was having a hard time. At a glance,

these people didn’t seem ordinary. No wonder someone might mistake
them for bosses of a notorious mafia organization.
At that moment, Yuri put down his empty glass and said,
“One more vodka martini, shaken, not stirred!”
At that moment, Spencer’s glass was also placed down with a clink.
How many glasses had it been already? The bartender had already
prepared another without needing to be prompted. He thought that
the vodka martini contest might only end when one of them collapsed
and placed the new glass.
“Hyun, how should we handle the interviews?”
Im Hyera, the director, couldn’t hide her smile. Various media

interviews were flooding in as if a dam had burst.
It wasn’t limited to domestic media. Foreign music magazines had

already featured news of my recital on their front pages. After
all, renowned maestros and virtuosos had eagerly attended.
“Please select only the necessary ones, Director.”
Hadn’t I painfully realized in my past life? The more exposure to

the media, the more it becomes poison. Unless you’re a politician,
there’s no need to constantly appear before journalists.
“Hyun, if you do commercials this time, you’ll easily surpass the

popularity of most sports stars.”
“Hyung, stop flattering me.”
“No, really, there’s even talk of a fan club for you.”
Baek Junghoon grinned mischievously as he picked up the ad concept.

Given the uncertain times, it was a public service announcement
featuring sports stars doing well overseas.
During the foreign exchange crisis, didn’t players like Chan-ho

Park and Se-ri Pak inspire many young baseball and golf
enthusiasts?
Se-ri Pak’s barefoot determination and victory at the US Open were

repeatedly aired on TV.
“At this rate, there might be a nationwide violin boom. Violin

teachers will be very grateful to you, Hyun.”
“It’s not that much, hyung.”
“By the way, there’s a barbecue party in Ichon-dong today, right?

Can I come too?”
Of course. I nodded willingly. After all, Baek Junghoon had been

the most helpful to me during the recital. Just seeing the bandages
on his fingers showed how much he practiced.
Sizzle―!
The smell of grilling meat filled the mansion in Ichon-dong.
The barbecue area set up in one corner of the garden had a charming
ambiance that rivaled any mountain lodge.
Moreover, Eric, who insisted on handling the barbecue with gloves

on both hands, fit right in. It felt like being in a forest in
Northern Europe.
“Zhang Yan, can I propose a toast for Hyun here?”
“Of course, Eric. Tonight’s banquet is for Hyun.”
“For Hyun, by Hyun, and for the night of Hyun! How about that?”
Although it sounded like a toast using Abraham Lincoln’s speech, no

one objected.
It was a party with friends from the chapel and Baek Junghoon. The
adults had stepped aside for us. Hence, the temptation to have a
well-cooked piece of meat with a cold beer was brief.
“Hyun, you’re a soda drinker, right? Hehe.”
Eric, holding a miniature beer glass, laughed heartily as he poured

soda into my empty glass. At that moment,
“Hyun, were those two always that close?”
Baek Junghoon asked with a puzzled expression. His gaze was fixed
on two women engrossed in conversation.
But looking closely, though their lips were smiling, their eyes
were not. It looked like an invisible current was flowing between
them.
“Anna, you’re eating kimchi really well. Isn’t it spicy?”
It was kimchi, challenging even for foreigners. It was spicy and

had oysters, making it a polarizing dish even among Koreans.
However, Anna was eating kimchi wrapped with meat without

hesitation, as if it were a native Russian dish.
“I asked the housekeeper.”
“Asked what?”
“How to marry a Korean man, and she said I first need to enjoy
Korean food.”
She must have heard unnecessary stories from the housekeeper. But
Son Yooha’s face was filled with a sense of crisis. Understandable,
as though she wasn’t picky, she couldn’t eat oysters.
“Oppa, but I know how to make kimchi!”
“Kimchi? Yooha, what’s that?”
At that moment, Son Yooha looked at me proudly.
Indeed, making kimchi is more important than just eating it well.
“It was truly an amazing performance, wasn’t it?”
Gustav’s eyes reflected the recent solo recital.
Under the splendid chandelier, Kang Hyun’s brilliance didn’t fade

at all. Thinking of his melodies brought a smile to my face.
“Your Majesty, what did you think of the recital?”
“Maestro, please call me Hirose. The title of ‘Queen’ is too much

for me.”
Sharon couldn’t get a word in with the combination of Gustav and

Hirose. It was a proposal made with nothing to lose.
But who knew both the “Queen” of strings, Hirose, and the eternal
maestro Gustav would agree so readily? And at the same time.
Today, she felt less like an interviewer and more like a part of a
legendary fable.
“One million, two million, it doesn’t matter. If a classical album

with Hyun’s compositions is released, I’ll be the first to get it.
You heard what Hyun said at the signing session after the recital.
He said he hasn’t named his compositions yet, just numbered them.
It reminded me of the old composers who made a living from
composing.”
“Are you saying he isn’t aware of creating masterpieces?”
“Rather than not being aware, I think everything he creates is a

masterpiece. I felt the same when I first heard the ‘Iron Blood’ by
pianist Baek Junghoon. It felt like the touch of a seasoned
composer with years of experience. But considering Hyun’s age, it’s
hard to believe.”
Gustav nodded at Hirose’s words. He too felt that way when he heard
Kang Hyun’s compositions.
The pieces seemed like creations only possible by someone with

diverse experiences and a rich life, making it hard to believe they
were created by someone so young.
“I wanted to give him what Yasha left behind. His violin, imbued
with his long touch and soul.”
At that moment, Hirose and Sharon’s eyes quickly turned to Gustav’s

lips. They couldn’t believe it.
There were rumors in the classical world. The most famous one would
be about Yasha Heifetz’s violin. Wasn’t it an instrument that left
numerous legends?
Even after his death, it never appeared in public, leading to

rumors that it had turned to ashes with Yasha.
Who would have thought that the eternal maestro Gustav had it?
“But he didn’t accept it.”
“What?”
Sharon unintentionally raised her voice. It was that surprising.
Who could refuse a violin used by Yasha Heifetz? Naturally curious,

the eternal maestro Gustav slowly began to speak.
Buzz buzz―!
Eric’s booming voice was louder than the cicadas. It wasn’t my

imagination that eyes in the airport were turning toward us.
His thick palm suddenly embraced me, creating a scene easily

misunderstood if someone saw it.
“Hyun, stay healthy until we meet again. And be sure to contact me

if you come to Norway!”
“Eric, you’re going to break Hyun’s back. Hyun, the rumors about
you at the Shanghai Conservatory are growing daily. If you get the
chance, it would be great if you could give a lecture in Shanghai
like you did in Moscow.”
“Ahem, be sure to come to the Royal Academy of Music too. We’ll be

waiting.”
Eric had joined the Norwegian Symphony Orchestra, while Zhang Yan
and William remained at school. It wasn’t due to a lack of skill.
They were honing themselves further.
At that moment, a platinum blonde girl hugging a framed picture

stepped toward me.
“Hyun, it’s a wonderful gift.”
“It will become an even better memory as time passes.”
Anna gestured for me to come closer.
Smooch.
A warm touch on my cheek quickly moved away. Before I could react,

Anna stepped back. With a meaningful expression, she whispered in
my ear.
“Next time, I’ll learn how to make kimchi too!”
Where in Russia would she learn how to make kimchi? Thick beads of
sweat ran down my back as I thought of someone’s face. The only
relief was that the person didn’t witness this scene.
“Driver, please take me to Seocho-dong.”
It was usually the time to head to the Pyeongchang-dong mansion. I

used to play Go with Chairman Wang and enjoy Zen dialogues under
the guise of managerial training.
But today, I headed straight to Seocho-dong after seeing my friends

off. It was the first day of field training.
“We’re here, Kang Hyun.”
Though it was the same building, my mindset was entirely different

from my past life. Memories of joining the Jeil Group chasing power
and ambition flashed by like a lantern.
As I entered the lobby, the desk clerk who had seen me before
looked puzzled, then gradually wide-eyed.
“How can I help you?”

As I approached, she followed the protocol and asked. Unlike last

time, she didn’t speak informally, likely due to the shock of me
visiting the president’s office.
Who would have thought a student in a school uniform would be a

guest of President Son Ilsun?
“I’m here to visit the Strategic Planning Office.”
“Excuse me?”
For some reason, I felt like playing a prank.
“It’s my first day at work.”
Chapter 115
ZLOOD
2024-07-02
“Old man, what do you think about the engagement?”
Marriage is often considered a significant event in one’s life. In

wealthy families, marriage is taken so seriously that it’s referred
to as a “hundred-year plan.”
“These days, matchmakers say that Ichondong is popular, right?”
“They say there’s never a day when footsteps stop along the stone
wall road in Ichondong.”
Indeed, after his solo recital, Kang Hyun’s popularity was

skyrocketing.
Though Hyun was a bit young to be the subject of matchmaking by

matchmakers, strategic marriages were not uncommon. As the saying
goes, “Birds of a feather flock together.”
Even in these turbulent times, Hyun was more than fulfilling his
role, making him a highly desirable groom.
“Don’t say unnecessary things. Hyun is already troubled by trivial

phone calls these days. He’s even getting contacted by mail. It
wasn’t this bad when I was arranging marriages for Beomjin and
Beomkyung.”
“Hmph, these people must be out of their minds, trying to snatch

what Son Jangwon has marked.”
“Son family, if someone hears, they might think Hyun is a

commodity.”
“That’s not what I meant, in-laws. Are we going to act like this
between us?”
Chairman Wang furrowed his brows as if feeling wronged.
“Instead of that, take a look at these. These are the photos I’ve
collected this time.”
“Did you take more?”
“Of course! I have to take them whenever I have the chance. Who
knows when Yooha will come back to Korea? You know how fast
children grow up.”
A thick album was placed on the table in the reception room. While
it wasn’t completely filled, the front pages were quite full.
The children in the photos were shining brightly. Among them, the
picture of the two of them arm in arm particularly dazzled the
grandfathers.
“By the way, where is Hyun? Wasn’t today the day for the Go game?”
“The Go class was postponed. I thought it would be good for Hyun to

gain field experience at Dongju, but it seems he has talents not
just in the field of chemistry but in various areas. And we have a
pretty good teacher.”
“Teacher?”
Chairman Wang nodded with a mysterious smile.
Suddenly, the English novel “Big Brother” came to mind. It was a

book I enjoyed reading as a child.
The protagonist makes a wish on a falling star and suddenly becomes

an adult. The novel depicts various happenings as the grown-up
protagonist joins a toy company, continually getting promoted and
even finding love through business plans drawn with a child’s
innocence.
But reality isn’t like a novel or a comic.
“Please take care of it until I return, Manager Choi.”
Manager Choi felt like a nanny. It was understandable, given he was

guiding a teenage boy who just entered high school through the
company.
Had it not been for Director Kim Sang-guk’s order from the
Strategic Planning Office, he would have immediately called
security to kick him out. However…
“Your name is Hyun, right?”
“Yes, that’s correct.”
Manager Choi felt puzzled by Kang Hyun’s prim demeanor. Was it

because he was still a child, or was he just fearless?
Moreover, he walked with confidence, behaving adeptly as if he had

worked in the company numerous times before. He even naturally got
himself a coffee from the vending machine.
“Would you like your coffee black, Manager?”
“Oh, yes. Thank you.”
“Am I being a bother? Usually, new employees aren’t given such a

thorough tour.”
What was this adept social skill? As Hyun mentioned, maybe it was
overprotection.
Who would give a new employee a comprehensive tour of the company?

In most cases, they learn by being yelled at by their mentor and
gradually picking up tasks.
“Which department are you in, Manager? It doesn’t seem like the
Strategic Planning Office, maybe the Education Department?”
“How did you know?”
“I could tell from your demeanor and speech. HRD trainers often
have a similar vibe.”
Was he Sherlock or something? Manager Choi was dumbfounded. It

wasn’t just that this young teen guessed his job, but he also used
corporate training jargon.
“Shall we go then? I think we’ve seen almost everything.”
Hyun led the way, and Manager Choi followed. They arrived at an
office set aside at the corner of the Education Department.
The Strategic Planning Office was not a place one could enter
casually, so they had to stay there until Director Kim Sang-guk
finished his meeting.
“Director Kim said you should look at this until he arrives.”
It was a pile of documents. Though Manager Choi had glanced at

them, he couldn’t make heads or tails of the content.
However, Hyun nodded as soon as he received the documents. He soon

picked up a red pen lying around the office and sat down.
He looked so serious that Manager Choi quietly left the office

without a word.
Click—! Click.
What a pleasant sound. To think I’d be tested on the first day.

Habitually flipping through the pages, I marked them with the red
pen.
It was a report predicting the future growth potential of foreign

corporations. It was an extension of the debate we had in the
conference room before.
Director Kim Sang-guk seemed to want to verify whether I was the

real deal. However,
“Maybe I should make a few mistakes?”
There was no need for perfection. After all, I was here to learn.
Halfway through the stack of documents, I capped the pen. I was

curious about the capabilities of Director Kim Sang-guk, who would
later secure a solid position in the Blue House. Just then,
“Hyun, Director Kim is calling for you. Let’s go.”
I gathered the documents and followed Manager Choi.
A familiar face welcomed me. He was the education manager of Jeil

Group who had been in charge of leadership training for executives
in my past life. Whether middle-aged or young, one commonality was
that he was good at aligning himself with the right people.
Of course, it was understandable given that he had survived in the

corporate jungle.
“Manager Choi, everyone’s eyes seem quite intense, huh?”
It seemed to be Manager Choi’s first time in the Strategic Planning

Office. His shoulders and neck were stiff with tension. I even
worried he might develop a stiff neck from the strain.
Though I intended to ease his tension, it seemed to make him even

more rigid.
Of course, it was understandable given that the Strategic Planning

Office was filled with seasoned veterans.
“Thank you, Manager Choi.”
“No problem, feel free to ask if you need anything in the future.”
One might mistake him for a junior staff member of the Strategic
Planning Office. Manager Choi exaggeratedly bowed his head and
walked away.
Without further ado, I handed the stack of documents to Director

Kim Sang-guk.
“Hmm.”
As Director Kim flipped through the pages, his eyes gradually

widened. However, when he noticed there were no more checked marks
halfway through, he looked puzzled.
“Your name is Hyun, right?”
“Yes, Director.”
“Did you make mistakes on purpose? Or do you really not know?”
Director Kim looked me straight in the eye and added,
“It seems to me that you know.”
New employees always face a dilemma.
When encountering unfamiliar tasks, they wonder whether to ask

questions and, if so, how to ask them.
After much contemplation, when they finally ask how to proceed,

their senior responds with a look of disdain.
They ask if the new employee is a child and why, as an adult, they
can’t handle their tasks proactively.
In that sense, the Strategic Planning Office was composed of

proactive employees.
“Veterans are indeed veterans.”
Everyone was experienced, and their work speed was like watching
the stock market floor in Yeouido just before closing. The saying
“quicker hands than eyes” held true.
You ask what exactly the Strategic Planning Office does?
In simple terms, it functions like a gatekeeper. It controls and

decides the direction of the vast flow of funds within Jeil Group.
However,
“That’s not right.”
I glanced at the report in Assistant Manager Oh Tae-seok’s hands.

He had put a lot of effort into the report, but it was clearly off.
I heard he was from BOA, and it was evident he wasn’t well-versed
in the domestic market.
“Do you have any questions? If you’re thirsty, go get an orange

juice from the break room. If you’re bored, ask Manager Choi in the
Education Department to give you another tour.”
Assistant Manager Oh’s face showed clear discomfort.

Understandably, he had been excited about the arrival of a new
junior but ended up playing nanny.
He couldn’t treat me harshly either. I had previously visited the

Strategic Planning Office with President Son Il-seon. Rumors even
circulated that I was the prospective son-in-law of Jeil Group.
“Okay, then I’ll have some juice.”
“What?”
What use would it be to point out the mistakes? Moreover, I wasn’t

planning on tiptoeing around the Strategic Planning Office like a
rookie. In terms of tenure within Jeil Group, my experience was at
least comparable to, if not greater than, theirs.
“This place is still barren.”
I got a cup of milk coffee from the vending machine and went up to
the rooftop. In the future, a garden would be built on this cement
floor. People walking below the skyscraper would look like ants.
Boring as it was, there was nothing else to do. The old man had
been considerate enough.
Assigning work to a student was absurd to begin with. Moreover, I

had no intention of working.
“Huff, huff.”
While sipping my coffee and passing the time, Assistant Manager Oh

Tae-seok, drenched in sweat, burst onto the rooftop.
“How could you be up here without saying anything? I’ve been

searching for you from the first floor, nearly dying of panic.”
“You told me to kill time.”
Assistant Manager Oh looked exasperated. He probably never imagined

I’d be lying on the rooftop bench.
Still, he seemed quite worried. He must have feared a scolding from

Director Kim Sang-guk.
“Recheck your report, Assistant Manager Oh.”

“What?”
That should do it. I mentioned it in passing, and Assistant Manager

Oh looked incredulous. Understandably, anyone would be.
However, after submitting and having his report rejected, he would

remember my words.
“Isn’t it time for a meeting?”
“Oh, yes.”
“Then let’s go down.”
Assistant Manager Oh led the way, and I followed behind. After all,
I was a mere tagalong in the Strategic Planning Office. Thanks to
that, I could attend even the planning meetings.
Of course, it was absurd. A high school student attending internal

meetings of the Strategic Planning Office, the brain of Jeil Group.
But what could be done? Orders were orders.
Moreover, most people treated me as if I didn’t exist.
“Assistant Manager Oh, you finally found him.”
When we arrived at the meeting room, sharp gazes were directed at

me. Technically, I had left my post during working hours.
So what? They didn’t assign me any reports anyway. Just then,
“The person to lead the meeting has finally arrived.”
“Pardon?”
“Everyone, take a look. Hyun is the one behind this report.”
At that moment, Director Kim Sang-guk held up the stack of

documents. It was the investment report I had previously debated
with President Son Il-seon.
It seemed he had heard about the report from Chairman Wang.
“Let’s see how our new recruit persuades us.”
Director Kim’s face was filled with curiosity and amusement.

Understandably, it was hard to believe that a young student had
produced the report.
As I stood up, I heard murmurs around me.
Indeed, both Director Kim and Chairman Wang had overlooked one
thing: I was not lacking in practical experience.
Chapter 116
ZLOOD
2024-07-02
There is a skill called the art of reporting.
One common mistake that new employees make is coming out to give a
presentation and merely reciting the report as if they were reading
from a textbook. Additionally, the abstract words and uncertain
tones they use make the audience distrustful.
“Manager Kim, may I ask you something first?”
I closed the documents handed to me by Manager Kim Sang-guk and

scanned the faces of the strategic planning team. While Manager
Kim’s face was filled with interest, the rest of the employees
looked visibly uncomfortable.
It was understandable since they hadn’t seen the heated debates

between Manager Kim and me before.
“I assume everyone has already reviewed the content of the report.

Therefore, I will speak frankly. Rather than repeatedly explaining
the report to you all, I would prefer if you asked me about the
points you didn’t understand. The purpose of a presentation is to
quickly convey the key points.”
Deputy Manager Oh Tae-seok and the other strategic planning team

members looked bewildered and displeased.
Why should I care? There was no need to make an elaborate effort to

convince them. After all, I wasn’t really a new employee.
Considering my youthful appearance, which made me look like a mere

student, I needed to take decisive action to redefine our
relationship.
“Ahem, looking at the report, it seems to include plausible points,

but most of it is about predicting an unrealistic future. Honestly,
I would applaud a high school student for understanding the
international market to this extent, but as you know, this isn’t a
club; it’s a place where the company’s fate is at stake.
Particularly, the investment value of ADAM Company and the future
evaluation of LAS Company seem so unrealistic that they could be
considered fiction.”
The middle-aged man looked like someone who had once been involved
with the National Security Agency. It was a group of people with
extraordinary backgrounds.
If I hadn’t appeared with President Son Il-seon, I would have been

kicked out of the company by now.
In the tense atmosphere,

“I don’t think it’s unrealistic fiction at all. If you don’t mind,

may I point out the parts you seem to have overlooked?”
“Overlooked parts? Go ahead.”
“First, you gave a failing grade to the investment value of ADAM

Company. The reason is probably because you think their main
product is just a facade, right? It currently lacks effectiveness
and you might view it as merely an extension of a simple promise
regarding the signature system. But the future will be different.
The signature system for corporate management will become more
extensive.”
It was a time when the spread of computers was increasing. A

signature was literally just a promise, like a promissory note.
However, as time passed and communication shifted from offline to

online, interest in security would inevitably grow.
For instance, in the future, the annual losses due to IT security

in the U.S. would exceed billions of dollars.
Proactive companies were already moving towards online security,

not offline security.
“Shall we move on to the second point?”
Manager Kim Sang-guk looked at me with curious eyes. The debate

continued.
The middle-aged man from the National Security Agency kept

questioning me with a determined look, but I wasn’t intimidated by
such a gaze. After all, I had dealt with high-ranking officials
during my time at the Western Prosecutor’s Office.
Deputy Manager Oh Tae-seok and the others already looked half-

dazed.
It was then.
Clap!
With the sound of hands clapping, Manager Kim Sang-guk stood up. It
was already lunchtime.
The unknown middle-aged man’s face turned red and blue. It was
understandable, given the difficulty of the situation, with
numerous eyes watching and a young person like me answering back at
every turn.
After all the employees left the meeting room, Manager Kim Sang-guk
gave me a thumbs-up.
“I’ve never seen Team Leader Kim, who is usually a poker face, get
so shaken. That person is known as the Buddha of the strategic
planning team, always sparing his words. Watching him debate with
you earlier, it seemed like he was getting drawn into your pace.”
“Did it seem like that?”
“Did you do it on purpose?”
Of course, in my past life at the Western Prosecutor’s Office, I

had dealt with numerous high-ranking officials.
In prosecutorial slang, there is a term called “blanket.” It refers

to a technique used to make heavy-buttocked suspects follow your
pace during interrogation.
“Did that really happen?”
Son Il-seon’s eyebrows twitched.
“Yes, President. It was impressive to see Team Leader Kim get

shaken during the meeting. If not for his youthful appearance, one
might suspect that he was a seasoned veteran scouted from a rival
company. He knew exactly how to navigate unfavorable situations as
if he had experienced such scenarios countless times.”
President Son Il-seon’s expression wasn’t pleasant as he listened

to Manager Kim Sang-guk’s report.
He knew why his father liked him. After all, his father had been
gathering talent under the guise of a Jeil Group scholarship since
his youth.
Kang Hyun’s talent was so outstanding that it would be strange not

to be captivated by him.
“By the way, President, is the violinist Hyun, who is being talked
about in the newspapers, the same person as Kang Hyun?”
“Yes, didn’t you know, Manager Kim?”
“I couldn’t believe it. I’m not a fan of classical music, so I

never imagined that the violin prodigy Hyun and Kang Hyun were the
same person. I realized it after seeing the photo in the newspaper.
The team members probably don’t know yet.”
Indeed, it was hard to believe. In life, you come across many

exceptional people. Some are called geniuses, but they often excel
in only one field and not in others.
However, Kang Hyun was different. He excelled in everything as if

he were a veteran with a hundred battles under his belt.
Even the golden carps in the pond seemed to follow Kang Hyun more
than Son Il-seon.
“Alright, you may leave now.”
Shortly after Manager Kim Sang-guk left, the intercom in the

president’s office rang, and Son Il-seon’s face lit up as he picked
up the receiver.
“Yes, Yooha. Did you arrive in America safely?”
It was his only daughter, who had gone back to her studies abroad
after the spring break. Son Il-seon’s voice naturally rose at the
sound of his precious only daughter’s voice. However, the voice on
the other end was looking for someone other than Son Il-seon.
“Hyun? Hyun is probably in Pyeongchang-dong right now. Or maybe at

the gallery…”
Although he was likely having lunch at the company cafeteria, Son

Il-seon deliberately diverted the conversation.
Was it out of jealousy for Chairman Wang’s favor? Not at all. After
all, Jeil Group was destined to be in his hands. Moreover, if Kang
Hyun was such an exceptional talent, he would have favored him
regardless of Chairman Wang.
The reason Son Il-seon was not fond of Kang Hyun was simple. His
daughter Yooha liked Kang Hyun too much.
“Yes, Yooha. Make sure to call your dad often.”
Son Il-seon couldn’t hide his disappointment at his beloved

daughter’s consistent reactions.
Maybe it was because Chobok (the first of the three hottest days of
summer) was approaching, but the weather had become very hot.
By lunchtime, the house in Ichon-dong was already filled with the

savory smell of boiling samgyetang (ginseng chicken soup).
Since coming to Seoul, it was the first time it had been this hot,
so my father and I took off our shirts and scrubbed each other’s
backs in the garden.
While my grandfather and mother were watching us with content

smiles,
“Hyun, you’ve grown so much.”
An unexpected visitor arrived in Ichon-dong. It was my uncle and

aunt.
Surely, they didn’t come because they smelled the samgyetang. It

seemed they were here to ask for my grandfather’s forgiveness again
after their previous failure.
“Beom-gyeong, why did you come to the mainland from Jeju without
your father’s permission?”
“Father, you know I come to the mainland once a month because of my

diabetes.”
It seemed they had changed their strategy, as they weren’t

immediately begging for forgiveness. My aunt was also looking for
the right timing to intervene.
“Ahem, Hyun. Go change your clothes and get ready to go out. Hyun-
ja, make sure to pack some samgyetang for Chairman Son.”
But my grandfather wasn’t so easily fooled. When he said he was

leaving, my uncle and aunt’s faces twisted in frustration.
No matter how I looked at it, I should suggest sending my uncle to

Tsushima Island instead of Jeju. As long as he had enough insulin,
he should be fine.
“We have arrived, Chairman.”
We visited Pyeongchang-dong with a thermos full of well-cooked

samgyetang. Surely, there were housekeepers in Pyeongchang-dong who
could cook samgyetang, and the menu there was always fit for a
king.
The reason my grandfather brought me to Pyeongchang-dong was

simple. With Director Im Hyera and President Son Il-seon both on
overseas business trips, Chairman Wang was probably feeling lonely
in the big house.
“Oh my, old man, why did you bring all this?”
“I brought it myself because I was worried you might skip meals. If

you’re that healthy, why not remarry?”
“Oh, come on. If you like it so much, why don’t you go first?”
Chairman Wang, dressed in hemp clothes and a straw hat, clapped his
hands when he saw the thermos in my hand. At times like this, he
seemed like a kind old man from the neighborhood.
We unpacked the bundle my mother had prepared on the spacious

dining table. The samgyetang was so well-cooked that the bones and
meat fell apart with just a touch of the tongue.
“Hyun, are you still going to Seocho-dong?”
“Yes, grandfather.”
“How many times have you been there?”
It had been two months since I first visited Seocho-dong, so I had

been there more than a dozen times. The strategic planning team
members, who were initially indifferent, were gradually recognizing

me.
After all, I had a sort of power struggle with the team leader in
the meeting room on the first day.
“Tell me about the members of the strategic planning team.”
“The members?”
“Yes, tell me what you have observed and felt. You’ve seen their
faces enough to have an opinion by now, haven’t you?”
What could I say? It was a place where even among the best and
brightest, only the most outstanding were selected.
However, everyone had their strengths and weaknesses.
“Deputy Manager Oh Tae-seok is excellent as an individual but not

as a team member. He is more adept at reading sudden changes in
charts than the overall market trend. On the other hand, Team
Leader Kim Jeong-won is slower to comment on sudden changes but is
excellent at reading the overall market trend.”
“So, the deputy manager sees the trees while the team leader sees
the forest?”
“Yes. It’s a well-matched combination, like cogs in a machine. One

side complements the other’s shortcomings. Should I tell you about
the others as well?”
I gradually explained the characteristics of the strategic planning

team members. Of course, I excluded any personal feelings and
focused on their professional aspects. By the time the conversation
ended, the samgyetang bowl was empty.
Chairman Wang put down his spoon and looked at me.
“Who is the most outstanding person among them?”
“It would have to be Manager Kim Sang-guk, as he oversees the

strategic planning team.”
“Then, if I were to assign Manager Kim to another position in the

future, where do you think he would fit best?”
Manager Kim Sang-guk was a very competent individual. Over the past
two months, I had learned much more about him than I had seen in
brief glimpses in my previous life.
Manager Kim was highly loyal and always thorough. Given his
methodical thinking, it would be a waste to place him in a position
like a subsidiary president.
“I think he would fit in well at the Blue House.”

“What? Why do you think that?”
“He seems well-suited for public office. His intellectual and

resolute appearance also fits the role.”
Chairman Wang was amazed at my unexpected answer and looked at me

with admiration.
Of course, I couldn’t tell him that Manager Kim Sang-guk had become
the Prime Minister in my previous life. Perhaps my words now would
have a butterfly effect.
Chapter 117
ZLOOD
2024-07-02
“Father―!”
A not-so-pleasant voice was heard from downstairs. It seemed that

the aunt who had visited Ichon-dong previously had come again.
The aunt’s face was filled with a sense of solemnity. Her attire
was more modest than usual, as if she had taken great care not to
offend Grandfather’s mood.
Moreover, she had brought her son, Yoo Jin-seok, as if he were a

handbag.
“Auntie, it’s heavy, so please take it quickly.”
Goodness, how much did she bring? The golden cloth she was holding
was bulging. It was obvious to anyone that the food she brought was
made by someone else, but she would certainly boast that she made
it herself without getting her hands dirty.
Just then, Grandfather walked out of the study.
“What brings you here?”
“Father, is there any place I can’t come? The weather is hot, and
you don’t handle heat well. I brought you some refreshing
chogyetang to help you with your health. It will taste better than
the samgyetang made by Hyeon-ja. Jin-seok, greet your grandfather.”
“Grandfather, have you been well?”
Anyone would think he had just returned from Cheonghak-dong. Yoo

Jin-seok bowed his head with great tension.
He inherited his parents’ timid nature, which remained unchanged.

He couldn’t even make proper eye contact with Grandfather.
Nevertheless, the aunt’s face was beaming with a smile. She had
achieved her primary goal of not being chased out because of her
son.
“Father, do you like the taste?”
“Yes, it tastes like chogyetang from a famous restaurant.”
Of course, since it looked like chogyetang that could have been

made by a hotel chef, there was no way it wouldn’t taste good.
As the lunch was nearing its end, the aunt started to speak
cautiously.
“Father, did you know that our Jin-seok ranked first in his class
this time? His mock exam scores were quite good, and his homeroom
teacher asked if he had any plans to study medicine.”
“Is that so?”
“But you know, our Jin-seok hates the sight of blood, just like me.
So I’m worried about what to make him do in the future. Should he
perhaps apply for the business department at Korea University?”
Even a passing dog would laugh. Anyone listening would think he was
a rare genius.
In his past life, Yoo Jin-seok had been charged with fraud, and his
highest education was dropping out of university. He had even gone
into hiding abroad before returning to Korea.
No matter how much the butterfly effect occurs, could a student who
doesn’t study get into Korea University?
As expected, the more the aunt lied, the more uneasy Yoo Jin-seok’s
face became.
“By the way, Hyun, are you studying hard? I see you often in
newspapers and news as a violin prodigy, but you should still study
well. You can’t neglect your studies just because you’re in the
arts. I’ll make sure to attend your next solo concert.”
Grandfather let out a silent chuckle. He seemed exasperated.
I had been at the top of my class since entering high school. If I

put my mind to it, being the top student was nothing.
Moreover, the solo concert wasn’t something one could attend just
because they wanted to; it was always sold out, and there were
constant requests to increase the seating.
“Aunt, can I get some tutoring from Jin-seok hyung today? I’m a bit
weak in math, and I think I could improve quickly if I learn from
him.”
“What?”
At that moment, both the aunt and Yoo Jin-seok looked visibly
flustered.
“Ahem, how have you been?”
As if he had forgotten past memories, Yoo Jin-seok started chatting

with me as if nothing had happened. It had been three years since
then, so it was understandable.
Moreover, he had been a con artist in his past life. He must have
learned to be shameless since he was young.
“You want me to teach you math? I guess it’s time for hyung to show
his skills again.”
Yoo Jin-seok’s confidence grew as I obediently listened to him.
However, he couldn’t even start when I placed the workbook on the

desk. Although the problem was difficult, his serious expression
made it look like he was taking a college entrance exam.
“Hey, you should ask your teacher at school to teach you these
applied problems. How can you ask hyung to teach you? By the way,
is that your violin? The case looks quite old.”
He subtly changed the subject and approached the old violin case in
the corner of the room.
It was a violin my mother had played when she was young.
“Don’t touch it.”
“What?”
“I said, don’t touch it.”
Yoo Jin-seok’s eyes widened in shock at my sudden informal tone.

But then he turned red and looked down at me.
Of course, he was still bigger than me. He was two years older, so
it was natural.
“You little brat, you’ll soon be penniless. Once my mom and uncle
hand over the company to those foreigners, you’ll be like a dog
chasing chickens―!”
“Hand over the company?”

Realizing he had made a slip of the tongue, Yoo Jin-seok quickly

closed his mouth, but his eyes were still filled with anger. It
seemed he hadn’t gotten over the humiliation he suffered from his
much younger cousin. But that didn’t matter to me.
Click.
I got up and locked the door. I had promised to tutor him for at
least an hour, so he had no choice but to stay in this room. I had
already told the housekeeper that we didn’t need any snacks, so no
one would come upstairs for a while.
Yoo Jin-seok looked momentarily flustered but soon regained his

confidence. Of course, given the size difference, he thought he
could easily win.
But there was one thing Yoo Jin-seok didn’t know.
“Jin-seok.”
I grabbed his shoulder with my left hand as if flowing with water,
“It wasn’t that I couldn’t hit you back then.”
Yoo Jin-seok’s eyes widened.
“I just didn’t hit you.”
My remaining fist shot towards his abdomen like a bullet.
“Hey, Hyun, are you going to work today?”
I had become quite close with Kim Yeon-ji, who was sitting at the
desk at the Seocho-dong headquarters. She now almost knew my work
schedule at Jeil Group.
At that moment, Kim Yeon-ji widened her eyes and looked at my neck.
“Hyun, are you hurt? You have a band-aid on.”
“The violin string suddenly snapped. It’s nothing.”
Who would have known? I didn’t expect him to faint from a single
punch. Yoo Jin-seok had scratched my neck with his fingernails as
he fell backward.
In my past life, I had often dealt with violent criminals at the

Western Prosecutor’s Office, so I knew how to defend myself. Thanks
to that, I knew exactly how to subdue someone with minimal
bruising.
‘I’m glad my right hand is okay.’

I was worried that I might have hurt it since it had been a while
since I used my fist. But Yoo Jin-seok’s courage was even smaller
than I had anticipated.
There was no need to wake him up and beat him again. As soon as he
saw my eyes, he spilled everything he knew. But still.
‘Is history repeating itself?’
No, maybe because Dongju was still strong during the financial
crisis, foreign corporate raiders were eyeing it.
Considering the fragile domestic companies, Dongju was one of the

few solid ones.
Yoo Jin-seok had told me the following.
‘My uncle and aunt are trying to sell their shares in Dongju.’
Some unknown foreign company had approached his uncle and aunt,
offering to buy their shares.
Having lost his credibility within Dongju, his uncle was desperate
and seemed ready to sell Dongju, channeling the notorious
collaborators of the Japanese colonial era like Yi Wan-yong.
“Hyun, are you going to work today?”
“No, I have something to discuss with Manager Kim.”
“Thanks for the advice you gave last time. I made sure to include
it.”
As soon as I entered the Strategic Planning Department, Deputy Oh

Tae-seok, who had been my mentor, greeted me.
Since the heated debate in the conference room with Manager Kim,
Deputy Oh seemed to trust me. Moreover, other team members also
showed a certain level of trust in me. In this place, it was as if
I had shed my student status.
I headed to Manager Kim Sang-guk’s office. I had urgent business.
“Manager Kim, did you find what I asked you to?”
“Yes, it was quite a task, but just as you said, there is an

organization trying to acquire Dongju’s shares. However, there are
many secrets. I barely managed to find out the company’s name.”
Why would I, a young person, need to personally search for an

unknown foreign company? This was a time to use connections.
Moreover, Manager Kim Sang-guk of the Jeil Group’s Strategic

Planning Department was one of the most well-connected people in
Korea.
Manager Kim tapped his memo pad with his pen and spoke.
“The company’s name is VH Company or something like that?”
What was the point of worrying? No suitable alternative was coming

to mind anyway.
I tried to find out more about VH Company, which Manager Kim Sang-
guk had mentioned, but there was nothing to dig up. Moreover, it
was completely different from the foreign capital that had absorbed
Dongju in my past life.
“Grandfather, are you awake?”
It was late at night, but Grandfather was reading a book in his

study. His vigorous appearance was in stark contrast to my past
life. It was hard to believe he only had two years left.
Grandfather stroked my head with a warm hand.
“Grandfather, do you get regular health checkups?”
“You rascal, my doctor says I’ll live to be a hundred, so don’t

worry. You nag more than your grandmother did in her lifetime if I
miss a single checkup.”
“You have to live a long, long time.”
“Yooha’s grandfather also said I should see my grandchildren get

married before I die.”
Grandfather then looked at the silver ring on my finger and asked

if it was an engagement ring with Yooha. What on earth had Yooha
told Chairman Wang?
Grandfather sternly added that he would never agree to me becoming

a son-in-law.
But that wasn’t what was important right now.
“Grandfather, did Aunt say anything?”
“Your aunt? She asked if it would be good for Jin-seok to start

learning the business at Dongju after entering university. She
seems bothered by you getting business lessons from Chairman Son.”
The aunt’s intentions were really baffling. She was trying to

secure a position at Dongju by flattering Grandfather, but behind
his back, she was planning to sell Dongju’s shares with her
brother.
I made up my mind and looked at Grandfather.

“Grandfather, please listen to what I’m about to say without being

too shocked.”
“What are you about to say that requires such a serious tone? Your
grandfather’s heart is strong, so speak up. Is it that you want an
expensive violin?”
If that were the reason, it would be better. I told Grandfather

everything I had heard from Yoo Jin-seok and what Manager Kim Sang-
guk had found out.
What good would it do if I tried to handle it alone? It would be

faster if Grandfather, the current owner of Dongju, took action.
Then.
“Do you think your grandfather wouldn’t know that?”
“What?”
“Your uncle and aunt have quite a bit of Dongju’s shares. No matter
how much I try to get them back, those cunning kids won’t easily
let go. So I asked Chairman Wang to create a separate company. Do
you know what VH Company stands for? Think about it carefully.”
What was he talking about? Grandfather made a peculiar expression

and got up from his chair.
His next words were like a bucket of cold water being poured over
my head.
“Violinist Hyun, hence VH.”
Chapter 118
ZLOOD
2024-07-02
The Stradivarius “Euphoria” shimmered, radiating its presence. The

intense staccato felt as if it might snap the strings.
Relentless bowing carried with it an overflow of determination.
How could one stop? “Euphoria” was cheering amidst the feast of
musical ideas, and my heart, beating incessantly, felt as if it had
returned to its youthful days.
Then it happened.
Had it not been for the timely knock, the queen’s bow would never
have ceased.
The queen greeted her manager, Goro, with a fresh smile. Goro’s
face was clearly flustered. Understandably so, as the soundproofing
was so perfect that no melody escaped the practice room.
“Teacher, I hope I didn’t interrupt an important part?”
“It’s alright. I hadn’t quite figured out how to proceed with the
next part anyway.”
“You, teacher?”
Wasn’t she Hirose, the so-called Queen of Strings? It was hard to

believe there was any piece in the world she couldn’t play.
“Hyun’s composition is really difficult. I can usually rely on

memory to follow most pieces even after hearing them just once, but
this time it’s not easy. I was given the sheet music, but the
deeper I delve, the more unfathomable it becomes. It feels as
though he’s stating that only he can play it.”
“Is it that challenging?”
“Once Hyun releases his album officially, the classical world will
undoubtedly be abuzz. Those who always tried to interpret the works
of the deceased will now face living notes. How astonishing that
will be.”
A full smile spread across Hirose’s face. She too eagerly

anticipated the days to come.
Hadn’t the stagnant classical world been stirred by Hyun?
“Oh, by the way, teacher. There’s an advertisement proposal for

you. Like last time, it’s for a public interest purpose. What
should we do?”
“Do I have a choice?”
“Given that there are no musicians in the current music scene who
can match your reputation, the broadcasting station is earnestly
requesting you, just like before. The newly appointed chairman of
the council was even planning to visit the studio personally, but I
firmly declined.”
It must have been since the early 90s. After the collapse of
Japan’s bubble economy, which had grown into an economic
powerhouse, social anxiety was heightened.
To dispel the widespread national anxiety and the fear of prolonged

economic stagnation, sports stars and famous musicians began
filming public service announcements.
In a way, it had become the exclusive domain of those with the most
positive influence in Japan.
“Goro, let’s proceed. We need to work together, especially during

tough times.”
“Oh, teacher. I also heard that similar public service

announcements are being filmed in Korea. Their situation isn’t good
either. But I heard that unusually, they are featuring a musician

first. The musician appearing is probably…”
Hirose didn’t need to hear the rest of Goro’s words to know who it
was. Who else in Korea’s classical world could have such a positive
influence?
Buzz.
It felt like all eyes were on me, even though I was just tuning the
violin. Every staff member on set was watching me with fascination.
Among them, the one staring at me most intensely was the director.
I’d heard he was a huge fan of mine, and from his gaze, it was
clear. His expression was one of sheer ecstasy, even from the
simple tuning.
“Mr. Kang Hyun, are you sure it’s okay to proceed as per the
storyboard?”
“Yes, director. Don’t worry, we can stick to the original plan.”
The director looked at me with concern. Understandably so, as the

storyboard required me to play until the violin strings snapped.
“Mr. Kang Hyun, you don’t seem like a high school student at all.
My nephew is the same age as you, but your demeanor and actions
make you seem like someone my age. Have you done this kind of shoot
before?”
“No, this is my first advertisement shoot.”
“Really? During the rehearsal, the way you looked at the camera and
your posture made it seem like you were very familiar with this
environment. I must have been mistaken. Even though this is a
public service announcement, I guarantee that once the economy
improves, big companies will line up to work with you. I can assure
you of that.”
I could understand the director’s bewilderment. In my previous

life, while preparing to become a congressman, I had undergone all
sorts of training, which included how to look at a broadcast camera
and how to walk gracefully.
Given that it was a profession reflected on TV, appearance was

prioritized over actual concern for people’s livelihoods.
‘I’ll count on you.’
I picked up the violin. It wasn’t the usual Stradivarius or

Guarneri I used.
As I took my position, the surroundings fell silent in an instant.

Everyone on set, including the camera focused on me, became a
single audience, captivated.
The queen’s portamento.
As the bow slowly touched the strings, the sound of someone

swallowing hard was heard like an accompaniment.
The melody sometimes pierced the ears with its sorrowful tune,
while at other times, it soared to the ceiling with its brilliance.
Then it happened.
Buzz―!
Following the alluring glissando, the bow began to fiercely cross

the strings.
As the bow pressed hard on the strings, the first E string snapped.
If I relaxed even a little, the tension would cause the bridge and
the bow to bounce off.
But the bow continued to press hard across the strings.
Like a sharp blade, an unparalleled melody surged with even faster

bowing.
As if it was just beginning now.
Gulp―!
The director’s throat bobbed noticeably as he reviewed the footage.

Understandably so, as it surpassed the visuals described in the
storyboard.
Occasionally, ordinary models who didn’t grasp the shooting angles

required adjustments to the lighting, but not today.
Moreover, the sound was mesmerizing enough that even those

uninterested in classical music couldn’t take their eyes off it.
“Mr. Kang Hyun, I never imagined we’d finish the shoot in one go.
Usually, it takes at least half a day, if not several days.”
“Did the footage turn out well? I couldn’t really tell.”
It wasn’t self-deprecation. In any field, subjective and objective

views are distinctly different.
However, the director vehemently waved his hand.

“Not just well, it’s fantastic. Honestly, I’m heartbroken. I came

to the shoot eagerly, thinking I’d get to hear your performance all
day, but who would’ve thought we’d finish in one take.”
“Director, would you like me to play one more piece?”
“What?”
The director raised his voice unintentionally. The other staff

members also licked their lips.
There were several violins prepared, so it wasn’t an issue, and I

could play a few more pieces. However, the director asked again if
it was really okay.
“It’s okay, director. I had been slacking on practice after my solo

concert ended. I’m actually grateful. I’m glad you enjoy my humble
performance.”
“Mr. Kang Hyun, you are not lacking at all. Not at all. Though I’m
not a musician, it’s not easy to move the hearts of the audience so
deeply. The same goes for my job as a director. We need to move the
viewers’ hearts through visuals. In that sense, your public service
announcement will touch many hearts. I’m sure of it.”
The image of a violinist who doesn’t give up and continues to play

his music even after the old violin strings snap, with just one
string remaining.
The director, who had been staring at the footage for a long time,
quietly added.
“Because right now, Korea needs a hero more than ever.”
Is it because the tiger is getting married? As the warm sunlight

shone down, unexpected raindrops began to fall, one by one.
I could see Mr. Kim, the driver, contemplating whether to turn on

the wipers. Anyway.
‘Life really is full of surprises.’
No, on second thought, it’s the opposite. All of this was possible
because I had returned to life.
Who would have thought I’d end up shooting an advertisement? And a

public service announcement, like sports stars Park Se-ri or Park
Chan-ho.
After the filming, I spent a long time wrestling with the

microphone to record a cheesy slogan.
“Mr. Kang Hyun, are we heading to Pyeongchang-dong?”

“Yes, sir.”
The reason for heading to Pyeongchang-dong after the shoot was that
Chairman Wang and my grandfather were there together.
I was so surprised when I learned the reality of VH Company in my

grandfather’s study.
It was a perfect match for the saying, “There’s always someone

better.” Their ability to draw blueprints far exceeded the realm of
ordinary people. After all, they were giants of the business world
who had weathered turbulent times.
“Sir, does my aunt still visit Ichon-dong often these days?”
“Of course, Mr. Kang Hyun. She visits even when you’re not there.
It’s fortunate if she only goes to Ichon-dong. It seems she visits
the company often too.”
She must be scheming. She’s been testing the waters continuously.
Under normal circumstances, my grandfather would have scolded her

and given her a piece of his mind, just like he did with my uncles.
But this time, he didn’t.
It means that even if my aunt tries her best, she’s still within my
grandfather’s grasp.
“Traffic is a bit heavy.”
Then it happened.
Bang―!
As soon as Mr. Kim finished speaking, there was a loud crash from
the front of Gangbyeonbuk-ro, and all the cars came to a sudden
halt. It seemed like a chain collision had occurred, with cars
entangled in a mess.
“Mr. Kang Hyun, are you okay?”
“I’m fine. How about you, sir?”
“My shoulder is a bit sore, but I’m not seriously injured.”
As I stepped out of the car with Mr. Kim, the 8-lane road was
already in chaos.
Everyone who had been in their vehicles walked to the side of the
road. Just as we were about to leave the road.
Bang―!
Another loud crash echoed, and a car caught fire. People were
visibly startled, hurriedly fleeing the accident scene.
Thankfully, it seemed there were no people inside the car, as there

were no signs of a human casualty.
“Help me.”
At that moment, a child, teary-eyed, grabbed my sleeve. Next to

him, an elderly man who had been in the driver’s seat of a small
car seemed to have sprained his leg and couldn’t walk properly.
Without hesitation, I approached the elderly man and offered my

back.
“Sir, please get on my back.”
It was a tough situation to ask Mr. Kim for help, as he seemed to

have injured his shoulder quite badly.
In the end, the elderly man thanked me profusely and got on my

back. The child, who seemed to be his grandchild, stuck close by my
side and didn’t leave.
“Despite the severity of the accident, it’s fortunate there don’t

seem to be any casualties.”
As Mr. Kim mentioned, although a chain collision had occurred on

the 8-lane road, most people had already exited their vehicles.
I could see paramedics rushing from afar to put out the fire. Then
it happened.
“Camera?”
Along the roadside, there were not only people who had evacuated
but also reporters from broadcasting stations. It seemed a
broadcast vehicle was also involved in the accident.
As I was carrying the elderly man on my back and walking out.
“Huh?”
A reporter who recognized my face urgently gestured towards me.
Chapter 119
ZLOOD
2024-07-02
When the concertmaster nodded briefly, the principal oboist blew a

prolonged ‘A’ note.
While the members were busy tuning their instruments to match the
oboe’s note, the concertmaster adjusted their pitch with a sharp
gaze.
The concertmaster’s chair was higher than the others’ because

everyone needed to see his bow at all times. It wouldn’t be an
exaggeration to say that his right hand controlled the entire
string section.
“Heavily, but splendidly―!”
The concertmaster adjusted the timbre of the string section.
By pressing the strings with the lower part of the bow, he created
an abstract sound.
Depending on the character of the piece and the conductor, it was

also the concertmaster’s job to adjust the abstract sound.
His cold eyes followed the members’ bows, pinpointing those whose
bowing direction was incorrect and sharply correcting them.
There was a reason why Dmitri was so sharp today. New members had
been assigned to each section.
Hasn’t someone said before that an orchestra is like a war?
No matter how excellent a musician is, it’s the same. Even if they
have built their career in another symphony orchestra, their status
changes when the stage changes.
The new members were as tense as new recruits assigned to a

military unit. It was no wonder, as the heart of the London
Symphony had yet to show itself.
It was then.
All the members stood up at once. Would you believe it if someone

said that the atmosphere changes with the entrance of a single
person?
Each of his steps sounded like Tchaikovsky’s “Pathétique.”
At the appearance of Spencer, the chief conductor of the London

Symphony, the new members nervously licked their dry lips.
His gaze was so sharp that they couldn’t even look properly. There
was only one place their eyes were directed.
Surely, the war would begin at the tip of that sharp baton.
“Maestro, thank you for your hard work.”
After the practice, Dmitri didn’t ask for the evaluation of the new
members. The result would be obvious even if he asked. If he, as
the concertmaster, was not satisfied, there was no way Spencer, the
conductor, would be satisfied.
Anyway, an orchestra is about slowly matching hands and feet.

However, the maestro didn’t get particularly angry today.
Normally, he would have sharply stared at a new member who made a

mistake, shouting “Cello―!” with his fingertips together in the
middle of conducting.
“Are you already looking forward to it?”
“What do you mean, Dmitri?”
“Aren’t you looking forward to the arrival of the violinist Hyun?

It’s really not long now. The members are also excited to see Hyun
again.”
Spencer brushed his nose without denying it. In fact, Spencer’s

feelings were no different from the other members’.
When Kang Hyun chose London over Berlin, he was overjoyed. The
recent solo recital made him even more desirable.
“My old friend Spencer, may I come in for a moment?”
A pleasant voice was heard from beyond the conductor’s room. The
person who entered through the door was none other than Samuel,
Spencer’s old friend and the Crown Prince of the British Royal
Family.
Dmitri greeted Samuel familiarly. Although the Crown Prince was not
easy for ordinary people to see, he often visited the London
Symphony.
“What brings you here again, when you should be more concerned with
the people’s welfare?”
“Oh, I came running all the way here to give you a gift.”
“A gift?”
Samuel handed over a gray newspaper. However, it wasn’t an English

newspaper but a Korean one.
As Spencer opened the newspaper, his puzzled eyes grew larger. He

didn’t understand the content, but the headline featured a large
picture of Hyun’s face.
It was Hyun walking out of a chaotic accident scene with his

grandfather on his back.
“Samuel, what does this word mean?”
The first two characters were clearly Hyun’s name. He remembered

seeing it when he visited Korea before. But he couldn’t guess what
the rest of the sentence meant.
Samuel translated the sentence into English for Spencer.
“HERO.”
Ring ring ring―!
These days, the phone’s ringing was more frequent than the cicadas’
cries.
The reason was simple. Because of a single photo. Could it have

been such a coincidence?
The media loves to exaggerate. Especially when a photo showed a car

on fire emitting black smoke, and amidst the chaotic accident
scene, Hyun was carrying his grandfather on his back while holding
a tearful child by the hand. It was a photo worthy of a Pulitzer
Prize.
“Ma’am, I’m sorry. You must be busy answering calls because of me.”
“It’s okay. Kang Hyun did something commendable. The chairman told
me to unplug the phone for a while, so it should be fine for now.”
The housekeeper’s face was full of pride.
All Hyun did was carry his injured grandfather out, and the article
detailed the situation. But the rumor had already been exaggerated.
There were even rumors that he had torn off the door of the burning
car with his bare hands to save people. It took a lot of effort to
reassure his worried mother.
“Mother, it wasn’t that dangerous. Uncle Kim saw it, so he knows.

The article was probably made bigger by the government to shift
focus towards me. It’s more important to focus on a heroic act than
to report a chain collision on an 8-lane road when the economy is
bad.”
“Still, Hyun, you shouldn’t get involved in such dangerous things

anymore. I’m so proud of you, but I’m also worried. Understand?”
“Yes, don’t worry.”
The house, and even the school, was in an uproar. The occasional
glances became even more frequent. It was no wonder since his face
was plastered on the front page of the newspaper.
But most looked at him with eyes full of admiration, which was
quite burdensome.
“A hero award, really.”

He went up to the podium during the school assembly to receive a

certificate directly from the principal. It was in recognition of
his contribution to raising the school’s prestige.
He couldn’t count how many photos he took with the teachers that
day. Even when he got accepted into the Korean University Law
School, it wasn’t this much.
“Hyun, shouldn’t you change your name?”
“What do you mean, Mi-Hyun noona?”
“Look at this fan letter. You’re no less popular than Seo Taiji. I
should start calling you Kang Taiji.”
If there was something that changed after that day, as Kim Mi-Hyun
joked, it was that he now had many general fans, not just classical
music enthusiasts.
Do you know the popularity of basketball players in the late ‘90s?

It was surprising how many fan letters came to his gallery, despite
it being the middle of the night.
Mi-Hyun noona, watching from the side, was amazed.
“Hyun, aren’t you going to have a fan club at this rate?”
Mi-Hyun noona half-jokingly, half-seriously teased. But considering

the number of fan letters, it didn’t seem impossible.
No, I’d rather not. This kind of popularity is something I firmly

decline. The popularity that flares up suddenly is like a firewood
blaze; it will calm down after some time.
“For Hyun, how about that as a fan club name?”
No, this noona…
“Oh my, our wonderful grandson-in-law is here―!”
When I visited Pyeongchang-dong with my grandfather after a long

time, Chairman Son greeted us wearing a white apron.
He looked like a perfect chef, ready to star in a Hong Kong movie

if given a Chinese kitchen knife.
Im Hyera, following behind, had a look of resignation on her face.
“Son, what on earth is that outfit?”

“Haha, in-law. They say a mother-in-law’s love for her son-in-law

is special, but today I decided to catch a hen myself. Didn’t our
grandson-in-law do something amazing?”
“If the presidents of your subsidiaries saw you now, they’d be too
shocked to close their mouths.”
Indeed, within Jeil Group, Chairman Son was known for his
unparalleled charisma.
In a documentary reflecting on the history of Jeil Group, every

president of the subsidiaries said in unison that Chairman Son was
as scary as a mafia boss.
“How is it? Does it suit your taste?”
The ginseng chicken soup was made with various precious medicinal
herbs. There’s no doubt it would be incomparable in price to most
foods.
Even with good ingredients, if the cook lacks skill, it’s all in
vain. But one big spoonful and my eyes widened. Who knew Chairman
Son’s cooking was this good?
“As expected, your cooking has always been amazing, Father.”
“Is it that delicious?”
“Yes, Father. Even if I try to replicate this taste, I can never do

it.”
Even Im Hyera couldn’t hide her admiration.
It wasn’t just a polite remark. Even someone who could be called a

gourmet was astonished by the taste.
“Indeed, if I hadn’t run a wholesale business in North Hamgyong

Province, I might have opened a restaurant. When I first came to
Seoul, this is the dish I made for your mother-in-law. It was hard
to find chicken in the north. We mostly ate rabbits or pheasants,
so she was delighted when I made chicken soup. I added Gollisoo
broth, which I gathered from the mountains in winter, for my ailing
wife.”
Who would have thought there was such a heartwarming story behind
Chairman Son’s ginseng chicken soup?
At that moment, Chairman Son gave me a peculiar look.
“I only make this ginseng chicken soup for our ‘family.’ Right,
daughter-in-law?”
“Of course, Father. I was first served this after I promised to

marry Il-seon.”
I couldn’t help but cough awkwardly. I almost choked. After taking

a sip of water, I noticed Im Hyera laughing.
It was clear these people found great amusement in teasing me.
After the meal, as we enjoyed tea, Im Hyera stood up first.
“Hyun, are you going abroad during summer vacation?”
“Yes, I’ll be in London and Berlin for a month. It’s a great

opportunity to meet famous musicians and experience the world’s
leading orchestras.”
“You have so much talent. I’m worried our grandson-in-law might get
taken away. In-law, shouldn’t we proceed with the engagement
ceremony soon?”
Chairman Son’s joke was met with Grandpa’s agreement. It was

amusing how these two, who exhibited unyielding authority in their
companies, turned into playful pranksters when they met.
It was then.
“Hyun, what are your plans for VH Company?”
“Pardon?”
“According to Manager Kim, you have quite the business acumen. He

said you have the skills of an excellent conductor. Looking at the
current situation, while your uncle and aunt are likely to sell
their shares, the biggest shareholder isn’t, right?”
Sometimes, Chairman Son would ask such sharp questions.
I wasn’t interested in management, but I had promised Grandpa. To

protect Dongju.
However, to fully protect Dongju, I needed my eldest uncle’s

shares.
Originally, the succession of Dongju was meant for my eldest uncle,

so shares were systematically gifted to him since childhood.
Grandpa sipped his tea, perhaps to mask his bitter taste.
“For now, with Chairman Yoo around, your uncle might remain quiet,
but in the future, it won’t be the same. It could escalate into a
management battle. You’re smart, Hyun, so you must know that,
right?”
Indeed, what use is blood in front of money? Especially from my

uncle’s perspective, it was like a rolling stone displacing a fixed
one. Even Jeil Group proved that money is thicker than blood.
I knew how Son Il-seon took over Jeil Group. After the death of
Chairman Son, the first thing Son Il-seon did was to oust his
brother from the group.
“Hyun, how about a bet with your grandfathers?”
“A bet?”
“Yes, like before. Last time, the reward for the bet was a violin.
This time, your grandfather and I will combine forces to give you a
reward. However, the challenge will be tougher.”
Chairman Son held up two fingers.
“Can you acquire all the shares of Dongju within two years?”
Chapter 120
ZLOOD
2024-07-02
“Old man, what do you eat to stay so fit?”
Summer had arrived at the foot of Bukhansan Mountain.
“Have you been hiding a pretty old lady somewhere? You seem like
you’ve returned to your younger days.”
“Songa, you say the darnedest things. My grandson insisted on

healthy dieting and regular check-ups. The doctor says I’ll live to
be a hundred, so there’s no need to worry.”
“There were only two times in my life when I was jealous of you.
First, you have a photo with your late wife, and second, Hyun. No
matter how I look at it, you were born blessed with grandchildren.”
Chairman Wang also ate all sorts of health foods, but he couldn’t
compare to Chairman Yoo’s stamina.
They were already climbing the steep hillside, but instead of

getting out of breath, their steps seemed to grow firmer. Anyone
seeing them might think they had just passed forty.
“Let’s rest here for a moment.”
The two old men sat down on a stump in front of a tree that split
into two trunks.
Looking at their attire, they seemed like typical grandfathers who

enjoyed hiking. Who would guess they were renowned figures in South
Korea?
After sharing some health drinks that were good for the bones:
“Songa, you did it on purpose, didn’t you?”

“Old man, what are you talking about?”
“The bet you proposed to Hyun.”
Of course, Chairman Wang wouldn’t have made such a proposal to Kang

Hyun without a reason. Chairman Yoo, who had been with him for many
years, knew his heart.
As green leaves fell to the ground:
“Old man, you know it too. Hyun isn’t a materialistic child. If he

were only smart and talented, would I have made such a proposal to
a high school kid? Even Manager Kim, who is stingy with praise,
can’t stop talking about Hyun. That’s why I was worried.”
“Worried?”
“Yes, I was worried that he might lose interest in management later

on. The two-year timeframe is just formal. No matter how foolish
Bum Kyung is, he wouldn’t want to lose his shares to a high school
nephew. The higher the goal, the higher the ideal. As an adult, I
just set a goal for a talented child.”
Chairman Yoo seemed to remember something and spoke:
“But if Hyun really secures Dongju’s shares within two years, will
you actually give them?”
“Compensation, you mean? If he does it, of course, I’ll give them

—!”
Chairman Wang chuckled. No matter how outstanding Kang Hyun was,

there were limits. Both he and Chairman Yoo had them. Even looking
back at Son Ilseon’s high school days, it was the same.
The two old men resumed their climb to the peak. Upon reaching the
summit of Bukhansan and looking down at Seoul, Chairman Wang
abruptly said:
“Who will be the owner of that land in the future?”
Achoo—!
They say even dogs avoid summer colds, but it seems I caught one.
My nose tingles, and it feels like it’ll last a while.
Outside, it felt like walking on a sizzling frying pan due to the

early heatwave, but inside the gallery, it felt like mid-winter.
It was the era when air conditioners were being popularized. Hard
to find in ordinary homes, but rich houses were different.
“Hyun-ah, your studio is always nice. Just lying on the sofa with
an ice cream bar, it feels like Hawaii. No need to go all the way
to Bugok.”
Of course. Baek Junghoon had started using my studio as if it were

his own room.
In my past life, he left a strong impression as an iron-blooded

maestro, but now he felt more like a neighborhood hyung with
nothing to do. Still, he wasn’t annoying.
“Hyung, instead of that, can you accompany me after finishing that

ice cream? The synthesizer doesn’t give the feel I want.”
“Who am I to refuse? Still, there’s no one in Korea who composes

analog like you, Hyun. Even with all this digital equipment. By the
way, you’re going to London next week, right?”
“Yes, the London Symphony already knows.”
Baek Junghoon’s eyes showed clear regret. I knew why. He always

helped with my practice and composition.
I knew how much he wanted to go to London and Berlin. They were

home to the world’s top orchestras, attracting the best virtuosos.
Trying to hide his disappointment, Baek Junghoon joked:
“By the way, I planned to go to Gyeongpodae or Haeundae for

vacation with you this summer, but that’s not happening.”
“Vacation?”
“Yeah, every time I see you, you’re holed up in your studio

composing. Anyone would think you were possessed by Mozart’s ghost.
At least Mozart enjoyed socializing; you don’t.”
Come to think of it, had I ever gone on a vacation in my past life?
In my school days, I was nicknamed ‘the fanatic,’ always carrying a

study guide as my friend. Even as I got older, I was the same. I
pursued success and ambition until my body was sick and withered.
If given the chance, going on a vacation might not be a bad idea.
“By the way, what happened with your album? I heard EMA contacted
you.”
“I’m planning to meet with them in London. I’m curious about their
thoughts.”
“Wow, my little brother is doing something I haven’t done yet.”
EMA was a renowned classical label in Europe. They showed great

interest in my compositions from my solo recital.
Their love calls were so persistent that I received international

calls three times a day. Speaking of which—
“Hyung, remember when I said I’d give you a piece?”
“Huh? What?”
“I said I’d give you a piece back then. Take a look. No matter how
well it’s composed, it has to suit the performer.”
When I casually handed the sheet music to Baek Junghoon, his eyes
widened in surprise.
He didn’t expect me to keep my word from a passing remark. As he

examined the sheet music, his throat bobbed.
But then, licking his dry lips, he shook his head.
“Hyun-ah, as much as I want to, I can’t accept it for free this

time.”
“Who said it was free?”
“Huh?”
I slipped another piece of paper to Baek Junghoon.
It was a contract stating he’d help with my practice when I had no

schedule in Korea. Of course, there were no hidden clauses. After
all, hadn’t I practiced law for several years?
And there was one more condition.
“Master this piece within a month. Then I’ll really give it to

you.”
By the time I return from London and Berlin, a month would have
passed. Then I could see how Baek Junghoon interpreted the sheet
music.
If it didn’t suit him, I’d take it back. Though I doubt that would
be necessary.
“Hyun-ah, are you going to stay up all night composing in your

studio again today?”
“Probably, yes.”
At that moment, Baek Junghoon’s eyes lit up, and he suddenly looked
at me.
“Can I sleep here tonight?”

“Who will go to greet Hyun?”
Ripples formed on the calm lake.
“Of course, I should go. I was the closest to Hyun in Korea.”
“Emanuel, what are you talking about? I was the closest to Hyun. Do
you know how attentively he listened to the orchestra history I
taught him?”
“Michael, you taught him that a hammer was used as a percussion

instrument in the Romantic era. Do you know how bored Hyun was?”
Principal cellist Emanuel and timpanist Michael glared at each

other, bickering.
The other members, having witnessed such scenes countless times,

just shrugged it off.
Then, the quiet violist Chloe raised her small hand and softly
said,
“Th-then should I go?”
At the Barbican Hall, the heart of the London Symphony, the members
gathered for rehearsal.
But their focus was not on the symphony they were about to rehearse
but on a young boy who would arrive soon.
Those who had been to Asia for the tour accepted the situation as
natural, but the newly joined members were different.
‘What’s going on?’
Christine couldn’t understand. The London Symphony members boasted

impressive skills, befitting their reputation. Moreover, their
musical pride was sky-high. It was hard for newcomers to even get a
proper look from the principal members. But here they were, so
excited.
‘An apprentice?’
It was said that, unusually, an apprentice from Asia would spend

two weeks with the symphony. The term “apprentice” itself was
unfamiliar, and who could be coming that they’d be so eager to
greet?
Even the cold-eyed concertmaster, known for his aloofness, seemed

stirred. Then,
“I can’t take it. Let’s all go together!”
Finally, Emanuel made a decisive move, standing up. He looked like

a general ready for a desperate battle.
Who would’ve thought the Barbican Hall would be this heated over an
apprentice arriving in a week?
“By the way, is that rumor true?”
“What rumor?”
“The one about Hyun solving all of Chappelle’s riddles.”
Dmitri nodded briefly. He had heard the rumor too. It was said that
Hyun had solved the riddles that no one in Chappelle’s history had
ever solved.
“Emanuel, riddles?”
Michael, who hadn’t heard the rumor, asked curiously. Emanuel, with
exaggerated gestures, began to tell the story.
It was so intriguing that even those who seemed uninterested perked

up their ears.
“What? He found all the mistakes in the symphony? In one go?

Concertmaster, do you think this is possible? Does Chappelle really
give such tricky riddles?”
Dmitri, too, had experienced Chappelle in his youth. Unfortunately,

he hadn’t found a single mistake. But Hyun reportedly found all the
errors. It sounded like a legend.
“Shall we test it?”
Emanuel, with a mischievous smile, looked at the new members.
A seasoned orchestra can perform a symphony without a conductor.

The interpretation and tempo might differ, but the performance is
possible. The London Symphony is one of the world’s top orchestras.
They seated the new members like an audience and began to play.
Concertmaster Dmitri’s bow signaled the start.
“I don’t know. Can we have one more chance?”
They had made mistakes, but none of the new members found them.
Christine felt a surge of frustration but tried to suppress it. She

couldn’t understand why the senior members were acting this way,
including the usually dignified concertmaster.
No matter how perfect one’s pitch, how could one instantly find
errors in a symphony’s movements?
“Hmm, shall we try again? This time, we’ll make it easier to find.”
No matter how they lowered the difficulty, it was an impossible

task.
The performance resumed, but it was still baffling. Even if they

had memorized the score, they wouldn’t find it in one go.
In the end, the new members surrendered. Emanuel shook his head and
stood up.
“Isn’t Hyun’s reputation exaggerated? How can anyone find this?

Even as a performer, I couldn’t tell. None of the new members can
sense which part is wrong?”
As everyone fell silent,
“Horns—!”
Someone shouted. Emanuel was startled, his eyes widening. The

person had correctly identified the prearranged mistake. Other
members were equally surprised.
Then, another exclamation filled the hall. Two figures entered the
Barbican Hall.
As the shadows faded, the voice’s owner became clear.
“Hyun?”
For some reason, Kang Hyun was walking in with Maestro Spencer.
Chapter 121
ZLOOD
2024-07-02
Everyone was welcoming me with open arms. I had never felt such
warm hospitality, not even during my days as a prosecutor’s intern.
Principal cellist Emanuel and timpanist Michael rushed over and

hugged me tightly.
“Oh, Hyun, my closest friend—!”
“Emanuel, what are you talking about? Hyun was closest to me—!”
“Michael, where do you get that confidence? Fine, let’s settle this
now. Hyun, who were you closer to in Korea, me or Michael?”
Emanuel and Michael were still like cats and dogs. I couldn’t hide
my smile as I greeted the other members.
Most of them were members I had played with in Korea, but there
were some new faces, likely new recruits.
Their faces were filled with tension, no different from new

recruits in the military. At that moment—
“Hyun, how did you figure it out?”

Chloe had approached me without me noticing. Her small voice was

effective in drawing everyone’s attention.
“When playing the horn, there are times when you have to use a
technique called gestop. If the player’s hand is inside the bell
and bent into a shape, the pitch changes. At the beginning of the
second movement, there’s a technique called hand-stopping where you
completely block the valve with your hand to create a sharp,
metallic sound instead of a soft one. But in this performance, the
horn wasn’t completely blocked. To be exact, it was about two-
thirds blocked.”
“Wait, wait. Charles, is what Hyun said true?”
Emanuel couldn’t hold back and looked sharply at Charles from the
horn section. Charles just nodded repeatedly, looking bewildered.
Of course, it was natural to be surprised. The moment the horn

appears at the beginning of the second movement is so brief that it
could be described as a blink of an eye.
“Hyun, how can you know such things?”
Emanuel asked with exaggerated gestures. Concertmaster Dmitri also

looked curious.
How should I answer this? It was the same at the Chappelle. When
Maestro Eden Simeon asked me how I solved the mysteries of the
Chappelle, I could only answer that I just knew.
While others view the orchestra from a flat perspective, my eyes

and ears approached it multidimensionally.
“Hyun, can you do it one more time if it’s okay?”
At that moment, Emanuel’s question brought silence. It seemed they

couldn’t believe it. Maestro Spencer also looked at me with
interest.
Well, it was an interesting scene from the first day. I nodded

without hesitation.
“Is this a hidden camera?”
The new members of the London Symphony couldn’t understand the

current situation. Finding the wrong parts of a symphony was an
impossible task.
At first, they thought the seniors were playing a prank on them.

But then, an unknown boy appeared.
“Horn—!”
An irresistible voice pierced their ears. The words from the boy’s
mouth were unbelievable.
The part the horn plays in the second movement is so short that
it’s almost impossible to catch it. Moreover, an orchestra is a
blend of many instruments’ melodies.
How did he find the discordant horn melody among all that? And even
know how much the valve was blocked?
“Christine, are we dreaming right now?”
“Maybe it’s like those hidden camera pranks that are popular on TV
these days?”
“I never understood people who believed in unrealistic Orientalism,

but now I think I get it.”
Even in the following symphony, the new members doubted their eyes.
It was a performance led by principal cellist Emanuel. They

listened with full tension, but instead of finding any mistakes,
they were overwhelmed by the fantastic melody.
But the Asian boy found the mistakes again, like a ghost.
“What the…”
Even the senior members were already speechless. Concertmaster

Dmitri, usually cold as ice, and Maestro Spencer could not hide
their surprise.
He seemed completely unphased, as if he had been playing with the

London Symphony for a long time.
It was beyond belief. Christine herself couldn’t even make eye

contact with the Maestro, but the Asian boy was already comfortably
joking around.
At that moment—
“Maestro, should we put Hyun in the first violin section?”
Dmitri’s remark made the new members’ eyes widen.
In an orchestra, the significance of the first and second violin

sections is immense.
The positions aren’t divided by skill level, but typically, the

first violin requires high-level technique and dazzling skills.
New violin members often build experience in the second violin

section before moving up to the first. Plus, the Asian boy was just
a provisional member.
“Dmitri. First, we should introduce Hyun to the new members. The

existing members already know what kind of person Hyun is, but the
new members must be confused by the current situation. They
probably think we’re joking.”
At Spencer’s words, Dmitri nodded and introduced Kang Hyun to the

new members.
Upon hearing Kang Hyun’s name, some new members gasped after
thinking deeply.
It was no wonder; he was the person who had stirred the classical
music world a few months ago. The eternal maestro Gustav had
personally attended his solo recital, after all.
“Hyun, the new members probably don’t know who you are. Could you
show them the proper posture for a violin player here?”
Spencer didn’t miss the dissatisfaction on the new members’ faces.
They had entered the London Symphony through grueling efforts. But
the Asian boy in front of them seemed to have parachuted in.
“Would you mind taking the posture?”
Christine picked up her violin. Though she reluctantly complied due

to the Maestro’s words, she didn’t understand. The other new
members felt the same.
Hadn’t they played the violin all their lives? How could someone
correct a posture that was already second nature?
The boy adjusted Christine’s shoulder and arm height, even her foot
spacing.
“Try playing again.”
Christine internally scoffed at the confident boy. With such an

imbalanced posture, surely the bow would produce a grating sound.
“By now, he must have arrived?”
Baek Jung-hoon spoke regretfully, his lips pursed.
“It would have been nice if you could have gone too, Jung-hoon.”
“No, you might not know, but you can’t just go to places like
London or Berlin on a whim. If I get better, I might be able to go
someday.”
“If you speak like that, what will become of all the musicians in
Korea? Humility is not a virtue for you or Hyun, at least by my
standards.”
Im Hyera, the director, said as she handed over a contract.
“Jung-hoon, I heard your contract with your agency ended this time?
If you don’t plan to renew, consider joining us. Although we don’t
have many musicians yet, you know we’re like one-man armies. If you
sign with us, we’ll support you as much as we can.”
Baek Jung-hoon was taken aback by Im Hyera’s sudden offer.
She’s a ghostly woman. How does she know his contract has ended?
But this was a privilege. Among classical musicians, the most

coveted place to be affiliated with was Jeil Gallery.
Like London and Berlin, you couldn’t just enter on a whim.
I’ve heard that some famous domestic musicians expressed their

intention to sign, but Im Hyera turned them down.
“Can I think about it?”
“Of course, review the contract as much as you like until you’re
satisfied.”
The reason Baek Jung-hoon wanted to join Jeil Gallery was simple:
Kang Hyun was affiliated with it.
Just witnessing his musical talent up close was an endless source

of inspiration. It must have felt like how musicians who watched
Bach, Beethoven, or Mozart felt.
“By the way, I heard Hyun made a promise to you. Is it true?”
“Yes, he promised that I would perfectly play the score he gave me

within a month.”
Though he wanted to sit at the piano and look at the score right
away, he had one more question.
“By the way, Director, who accompanied Hyun as his guardian this
time?”
“Oh, as a guardian?”
Im Hyera gave a mysterious smile. Usually, she would have gone as

his guardian like in Italy, but this time was different.
“Probably, the person who likes Hyun the most.”
“The person who likes him the most?”
“Dmitri, how are the members reacting?”

Spencer had discreetly stepped away to give Kang Hyun and the
members some time to meet. He didn’t want to spoil the atmosphere,
especially since some members found him intimidating.
But he couldn’t help but be curious. Especially about the reactions

of the new members.
“Maestro, do you know how I felt when I first went to the

Chappelle?”
“When you participated in the Queen Elisabeth Competition, wasn’t

it the most intense time?”
“That’s right. Before I arrived at the Chappelle, I thought I was

the best. But the violinists I met there shattered that illusion.
It felt like facing an insurmountable wall. The new members
probably feel the same way I did back then.”
Kang Hyun was young. While talent was crucial in music, experience
was also invaluable.
But despite his youthful appearance, Kang Hyun had an incredible

depth of thought. As if an old man resided within him.
“Christine was so surprised she couldn’t close her mouth. As the

most talented among the new members, she must have felt it the
most. Finding a posture that fits a musician’s body perfectly,
rather than a standardized one, is something even virtuosos can’t
do.”
“But Hyun does the impossible as if it’s nothing.”
“Exactly. We know from previous experience, but for the new

members, it must feel like witnessing magic.”
It wasn’t an exaggeration to call it magic. After correcting

Christine’s posture, the change in her playing was astonishing. The
melody became more stable and rich.
Even Christine, who was playing, couldn’t hide her surprise.

Imagine the shock of those who witnessed it.
“Maestro, do you plan to assign Hyun to the first violin section?”
As the concertmaster responsible for the entire string section,

Dmitri asked about Hyun’s position. But Spencer hesitated to
answer, remembering Hyun’s performance at the graduation ceremony.
At that moment—
“Maestro, may I come in?”
Despite everything, Kang Hyun himself sought the conductor’s room.

Spencer looked up at the sound of the knock and saw Hyun enter.
“Did you greet the members well?”
“Yes, Maestro. We had a lot to talk about since it had been a

while. Did I take too long?”
“No, not at all. Let me ask you one thing. Hyun, what do you want
to learn from our London Symphony?”
As Spencer and Dmitri’s eyes focused on him, Hyun answered without

hesitation.
“I want to learn conducting.”
Chapter 122
ZLOOD
2024-07-02
“The members are extremely dissatisfied.”
A somewhat agitated voice was heard.
“Maestro, how about releasing the video now?”
Worry was evident on the face of Samuel, the concertmaster of the

Berlin Philharmonic.
The Berlin Philharmonic is a symphony orchestra boasting a long

history, and the members’ musical pride is incomparable, soaring as
high as Mount Tai.
It’s often said that joining the Berlin Philharmonic is more

difficult than winning international competitions.
“As you know, there has never been a sudden selection of an

alternate member in the history of the Berlin Philharmonic. If it
were any conductor other than Maestro, the members would have
protested. Remember the chief conductor who was ousted decades ago
for selecting members at his own whim?”
“Indeed, only such standards can define a musician of the Berlin

Philharmonic.”
“Maestro?”
All the members were harboring discontent. The fact that a young
violinist, who had not even graduated from high school, was invited
as an alternate member was the reason.
No matter how internationally promising a newcomer might be, the

Berlin Philharmonic is not a place anyone can enter.
It wasn’t enough to rise from the bottom; the sudden descent from
the sky naturally led to great dissatisfaction.
This place could easily be seen as a battlefield, not a school.
“Samuel, do you think revealing the video will change the members’
minds?”
“I cannot guarantee it.”
“Right, it’s not my role to change their minds; it’s up to Hyun in

the future.”
Relaxation filled Yuri, the lion of the Berlin Philharmonic. There

was no sign of anxiety as he lightly sipped from his teacup.
“Perhaps the one being tested now is not that child.”
“Excuse me?”
“It might be that Maestro Spencer in London and I are the ones
being tested. Do you think there has ever been a musician who has
experienced both London and Berlin simultaneously?”
Samuel could not easily open his mouth.
Like the Berlin Philharmonic, the London Symphony also boasted the
highest authority as a symphony orchestra. There would have been
very few musicians who could freely come and go between the two. It
would be counted on one hand for sure.
“By now, he would be in London. There will probably be resistance

there too, but not as much as here. They’ve already experienced
Hyun once. Samuel, you called him an alternate member?”
“Yes, Maestro.”
“Let’s correct that. I don’t consider that child an alternate

member, as Maestro Gustav mentioned.”
What did this mean?
“The choice will be made by that child, not us.”
Kang Hyun suddenly recalled a music movie he had seen in his past
life.
It was about an orphan with extraordinary musical talent playing

the guitar on the streets to find his parents.
Talent knows no place; people passing through the park had all
stopped to listen to the child’s performance.
Despite the gazes of many people, he unfolded his music. Kang Hyun
felt the same way as that child.
Was he nervous? Hardly. Rather, the excitement calmed down as he

raised his bow.
Ziiing―!
The bow seemed to glide gently over the strings, but a sharp high
note resounded.
As if plucking the bow, his left hand moved dazzlingly over the
strings, and the melody sprang up like a coil. The members of the
London Symphony observed the scene as an audience.
It was fair to call it a kind of test. Even in the prosecutor’s

office, it was common in May to assign ridiculous tasks to gauge
the capabilities of new recruits.
‘Wow.’
Christine was struggling to suppress her admiration. Though she

tried to hide it, the joy on her face was evident. She had sensed
something extraordinary when correcting his posture, but not to
this extent.
He was only seventeen. Yet, what was that dazzling technique and
calm gaze?
Each note was imbued with power, as if his fingers were several
times more agile than others.
From his shoulder to his elbow and down to his fingertips, every
movement was flawless, as if he had become one with the violin.
“Hyun, what was the piece you just played? No matter how hard I
search my memory, it’s a melody I’ve never heard.”
“I haven’t named it yet. It’s number 67, Emanuel.”
“Number 67?”
When it was revealed that the piece was Kang Hyun’s original
composition, the members of the London Symphony were collectively
astonished.
Number 67, no less. Did this mean there were still more scores
left, aside from the original compositions he had showcased in solo
concerts?
Just as everyone was gradually becoming more and more shocked,
“That’s enough playing. Everyone, take your seats.”
Maestro Spencer entered the practice room with the concertmaster.

Truly professional, the members flawlessly returned to their places
with just one word from Spencer.
The previous commotion was instantly quelled, as if erased with a

single stroke of an eraser.
“Hyun, sit here.”
Spencer seated Kang Hyun next to him, just like when he had visited
Korea. It was a spot where the members could see him best, just
like the conductor.
The seating for the members of the London Symphony was flexible.
Except for the first violins, all the seating arrangements could
change slightly according to Spencer’s wishes.
For example, sometimes the positions of the cellos and violas would
be swapped, and the places for the percussion instruments would be
changed as well.
Everything had to maintain optimal condition, so it changed fluidly

depending on the symphony to be performed and the state of the
concert hall.
“Hyun, I will now conduct a symphony for you. Conducting is akin to

handling a giant instrument. That instrument holds dozens of
melodies and dozens of thoughts. Hyun, can you persuade that giant
instrument?”
The members were busy tuning to the oboe’s pitch. Wasn’t this a
place where people of various races and instruments gathered? Each
one must have reached the London Symphony after grueling efforts.
Kang Hyun understood Spencer’s last words. If they did not

recognize him as a conductor, he would never hear the resonance of
that giant instrument.
While Yuri in Berlin emphasized technical aspects, Spencer in

London valued communication with the members more.
“A week. Convince them as a conductor, not as a violinist. And then

conduct this symphony just like I do now.”
The members did not yet know that Kang Hyun wanted to learn
conducting. They thought he came to the London Symphony as a
violinist.
Conducting is impossible without experience and years of practice.

How could he possibly move the hearts of such noble musicians?
“Since you told me you wanted to learn conducting, you must have
anticipated this much, right?”
“Yes, Maestro.”
Despite the daunting task, Kang Hyun’s expression remained

unchanged. It was as if he had expected Spencer’s challenge.
At that moment, Spencer nodded with a peculiar expression. All the

tuning was now complete.
“Beethoven’s Fate.”
The orchestra was in unison.
The moment Maestro’s fingertips were raised, the members’ gazes

changed uniformly. As if they had made an agreement.
“Mr. Kang Hyun, where should we go?”
A black man who resembled the Terminator was speaking. He always

wore a suit and sunglasses, making him look like a secret agent.
He was a bodyguard assigned to me by Director Im Hyera. I heard he

was from the overseas branch of the Jeil Group.
When I was told that someone who liked me the most in London was
waiting, I hadn’t expected it to be Denzel Washington from “Man on
Fire.”
“Chrissy, please speak comfortably. People might think we’re in the

military.”
“No, it’s more comfortable for me to speak this way on duty. In

Afghanistan, I spoke even more briefly. Long transmissions were not
allowed.”
“Pardon?”
Given his appearance, Afghanistan would be nothing. He looked like

he could eliminate terrorists while crossing Lebanon and Israel.
No ordinary man would dare challenge him after seeing those thick
hands. Moreover, his habit of occasionally chewing one side of his
cheek suggested a mercenary’s life.
In my previous life as a prosecutor, I had met retired soldiers

with similar habits. It was said to be a way to stay sane amid a
blood-spattered battlefield.
“Mr. Kang Hyun, shall I guide you to a restaurant then?”
I was hungry. Hadn’t I been cooped up in the practice room all day?
During the week that Maestro Spencer had promised me, I had been
pondering how to convince the members but couldn’t come to a clear
conclusion.
My mind was as tangled as a ball of yarn.

“Canary Wharf?”
Chrissy glanced at me through the rearview mirror. Seeing the

familiar scenery outside the car window, I shook my head.
I had been to this place in my previous life. Isn’t it located in

the eastern part of London, facing the Thames River? I had visited
this place filled with movie-like restaurants in my past life for
this reason:
‘Tsk.’
It was for a honeymoon I didn’t even want to remember. It had been

a marriage made for ambition. I couldn’t even remember what my past
wife looked like anymore.
No wonder, as all our conversations during the marriage were always

formalities.
“Good River, this is a restaurant I frequented since childhood.”
“Is this really the place?”
“Yes, it is. Do you know it?”
I was astonished when Chrissy guided me to the restaurant.
This was the place where I had dined with my wife in my previous
life. Forced to go on a honeymoon, we had eaten without exchanging
a word. The Thames River’s night view outside the window sparkled
like jewels, but I had no time to care.
“Mr. Kang Hyun, if you mention your name upon entering, they will
guide you to your seat.”
“Chrissy, aren’t you joining me for the meal?”
“I will be waiting nearby. Someone is waiting for you today.”
What was this supposed to mean?
Someone was waiting for me in this foreign land. But Chrissy said
no more.
I guess I’ll have to remove those sunglasses. I couldn’t read his

expression at all.
I reluctantly entered the restaurant. The ship’s horn was still

blowing continuously at this hour.
“Kang Hyun.”
When I told the restaurant manager my name, the well-mustached

manager smiled broadly as if he had been waiting.
Following his steps, I saw a seat with a clear view of the Thames
River.
And indeed, as Chrissy had mentioned earlier, there was already a

guest sitting there.
“What is this?”
A girl with a familiar hairpin was waiting for me.
Her eyes, resembling those of a proud cat, looked towards the

Thames River but quickly turned to me when she heard my voice.
The girl’s sudden approach made me wonder if this was a dream or

reality.
Thinking about it, it must be vacation time in the U.S. But this
was too sudden.
“Oppa, did you forget our promise again?”
“What?”
“You said you’d hug me first―!”
At that moment, Son Yooha rushed forward and embraced me tightly.
Chapter 123
ZLOOD
2024-07-02
The reception room was filled with a lingering scent.
“How is China coming along?”
Chairman Wang raised his voice as he took the teacup away from his
lips.
“Old man, have you given up on expanding into China?”
“For the time being, we’ve been more focused on developing new
materials, so we’ve temporarily put off factory expansion. However,
Mr. Deng Zheng in Tianjin said he would arrange a place for us
soon.”
“That stubborn old man himself?”
Who was Deng Zheng? As a major landowner who controlled the Tianjin
area, his family had held high-ranking positions in Tianjin for
generations. It was said that you had to go through Deng Zheng if
you wanted to enter Tianjin.
However, he was so strict and difficult that it was hard to build a

relationship with him.
In the past, Son Ilseon had tried to win over Deng Zheng three
times, just like Liu Bei did with Zhuge Liang, but ultimately
couldn’t form a connection. But now…
“Old man, how did you manage to win over Deng Zheng?”
“It wasn’t me who persuaded him.”
“Then who?”
It was Kang Hyun. Even three years after forming a connection with
Deng Zheng, Kang Hyun would send gifts every Chinese New Year. He
even wrote personal letters every year to Deng Zheng’s grandson,
who liked him.
When this was revealed, how surprised was everyone? Chairman Wang
couldn’t hide his admiration.
“He knows very well that guanxi (relationships) must be built from
the ground up. How could such foresight to slowly lay the
groundwork come from a middle schooler’s mind? Indeed, it’s
something not just anyone can do!”
“I was just as surprised when I first heard. Hyun is doing things

on his own that we hadn’t even considered.”
“Chairman Yoo, no matter how you look at it, Hyun has the instincts
of a businessman.”
Chairman Wang regretfully swept his dry lips. It was

understandable, considering how much money and effort they had
poured into securing Tianjin.
Even after Son Ilseon’s three visits failed to sway Deng Zheng,
they had to directly connect with the Chinese government,
mobilizing a lot of funds.
Of course, there could be multiple reasons why Deng Zheng refused

Jeil Group but allowed Dongju. Primarily, the scale was different,
and the impact on the local market was uncertain. However…
“He persuaded Deng Zheng.”
It was incredible that Kang Hyun, still a student, had succeeded

where Son Ilseon had failed. Regardless of the reasons, it was a
remarkable achievement, akin to opening the heart of Zhuge Liang.
“Oppa, don’t you like the food?”
It wasn’t that it didn’t taste good. The grilled mero, herb-

encrusted rib steak, and salad with special dressing from Good
River.
Except for the absence of wine, the setup was exactly the same as
in his previous life. If the person sitting across from him hadn’t
been Son Yooha, he might have suspected it was a hidden camera
prank.
“Oppa, have you been here before?”
“Huh?”
“The manager taught me how to eat the mero before you came. He even
explained the order to dip the sauces. But you already seem to know
how to do it?”
Damn, outstanding software can be a problem at times. Even fleeting

memories from his past life had become ingrained in him.
Suddenly, Son Yooha narrowed her eyes and asked, “Who did you come
here with?” Anyone would think they were a couple under
interrogation.
‘Should I just say I came here with my wife in a past life?’
No way, even as a joke, it would be shocking for Son Yooha. He made

an excuse about eating it this way in Italy.
But Son Yooha still tilted her head in confusion. It made sense, as
the way they paired various sauces with the mero was a unique
secret of this place.
“Is it good?”
There was a saying that hunger is the best sauce, but Good River’s
food was uniformly delicious. Even in his past life, he had eaten
without leaving a bite, despite not getting along well with his
wife.
As he scraped up the remaining sauce from the plate, Son Yooha

looked at him with a loving expression.
“I researched all the famous restaurants in London to treat you to

something delicious, Oppa.”
“Yooha, where did you get the money for that?”
“Why? I have a lot of pocket money left.”
Oh right, he had forgotten that Son Yooha was the heir to a

conglomerate family.
Without a doubt, Yooha’s liquid assets and real estate were already
far greater than the royalties he had earned.
In his past life, while working as the deputy head of Jeil Group’s
legal team, he had handled the inheritance of many heirs through
legal loopholes.
In such conglomerate families, it was not uncommon for a newborn to

own a building in the middle of Gangnam.
“Oppa, can we go for a walk after we finish eating?”
“Sure, let’s walk to aid digestion.”
Son Yooha had taken a flight to see him. Apparently, she had
eagerly awaited his arrival in London.
They walked along a path facing the Thames River. It had a similar
feeling to the Han River.
Night had fallen, but the night view of the Thames sparkled like
jewels.
It seemed there were a lot of people gathering because there would

be fireworks at Canary Wharf tonight.
‘Look at this girl.’
Son Yooha subtly held his hand. Then she quickly changed the
subject. She seemed more nervous than when she kissed him.
There was no issue with security. Chris from Man on Fire was
following them. Strangers might think they were the children of
some wealthy Asian family out for a stroll. Then…
“Oppa, can I climb up here?”
It was a long post about a meter high, installed to block vehicle

entry.
Maybe it was because she was now shorter than him, or perhaps
because she was still young. When he nodded, she smiled and climbed
up.
“Hold my hand tight.”
Careful not to let her fall, they walked slowly. The fact that this
bright-smiling girl would become the Ice Queen in the future was a
stark irony.
As they neared the end of the long post…
Bang―!
Fireworks burst over the Thames. At that moment, Son Yooha lost her
balance and wobbled.
He quickly grabbed her in surprise, but due to their combined

weight, he ended up falling on his butt.
Somehow, it ended up with Son Yooha falling into his arms. The Ice
Princess’s cheeks turned a bright red.
Bang―!
Another firework burst, making the calm water surface look like it
was raining jewels.
In that moment, the memories from his past life were being replaced
by new ones.
“Ms. Mihyun, I’m not selling this painting.”
Director Im Hyera looked at the painting displayed in the center of

the gallery.
It was a painting of a man and woman looking at each other lovingly

under the radiant sunlight.
It was a famous piece by a French artist, worth easily hundreds of

millions of won.
“Do you know why?”
“Hmm, I’m not sure, ma’am.”
“It was the first painting I saw with Mr. Ilseon.”
At the mention of Mr. Ilseon, Kim Mihyun tilted her head in

confusion. Just from the name, she didn’t immediately realize it
was Son Ilseon. But soon her eyes widened.
Thanks to Director Im Hyera’s friendly demeanor, she often forgot

that Director Im Hyera and Chairman Son Ilseon were a married
couple.
“Initially, Mr. Ilseon was so blunt. As soon as he saw the

painting, he asked me why a canvas painting was so expensive. So,
as an art major, I explained the value of the piece to him. But it
seemed he still didn’t understand. He probably thought such a small
painting had no practical use.”
Kim Mihyun listened intently. It was a love story of second-

generation chaebols, something rarely heard, but Director Im Hyera
occasionally shared personal stories related to art. Just like now.
“Then, a few days ago, on our wedding anniversary, he gave me this

painting as a gift.”
“You must have been very happy, ma’am.”
“Happy doesn’t even begin to describe it. I had been trying to get
this painting for years. It was hidden away in some vault, and he
somehow found out and got it for me. So I asked him why he bought
it. Do you know what he said?”
Chairman Son Ilseon had the typical appearance of a man from

Gyeongsang Province. Stern, with few words, and always with sharp
eyes that made it seem like he was perpetually angry.
His charisma was so overwhelming that most people couldn’t look him
in the eye.
“‘Hyera, you wanted it, didn’t you?’ That’s what he said. He

remembered a brief conversation we had a long time ago when we were
dating. Am I being too sentimental?”
“No, ma’am. I’m really envious. But the chairman is surprisingly

romantic.”
“Do you want to know the secret?”
Kim Mihyun gulped. On the surface, Director Im Hyera and Chairman

Son Ilseon seemed like complete opposites, yet they were a perfect
match.
“Christine, can I watch your performance for a moment?”
The new member Christine nodded briefly. She had a bad habit when
playing trills, which she didn’t seem to be aware of because it was
ingrained in her. It took Kang Hyun a couple of corrections for her
to realize it.
“Hey, Hyun, could you watch my performance for a moment too?”
Another new member approached Kang Hyun. The other members

understood their behavior. They, too, had their postures corrected
by Kang Hyun in Korea.
At that moment, concertmaster Dmitri approached Kang Hyun and

spoke.
“Hyun, aren’t you nervous?”
“Nervous?”
“The deadline Maestro gave you is approaching. But you haven’t had
a proper chance to conduct yet. The members aren’t rejecting you
either.”
As Dmitri mentioned, the members of the London Symphony, known for

their high standards, had accepted Kang Hyun.
But Kang Hyun hadn’t picked up the baton to conduct yet. He hadn’t
fully understood them.
It was just another day of continuous practice to improve their

individual skills.
“I think of the orchestra as a giant musical instrument. For a

performer to produce clean and clear tones, they need to fully
understand every corner of their instrument. Even the same
violinist has different pitch and vibration when playing trills. I
want to know the characteristics of each member of the London
Symphony.”
Without a conductor, a performance of Beethoven’s Symphony No. 5 by

the orchestra would still sound quite decent. They had been playing
together for many years.
However, to catch the occasional out-of-tune note and offbeat

rhythm, the conductor’s role was essential.
“I’m currently figuring out the color with which I should conduct
the London Symphony.”
“Color?”
“Yes, a colorless conductor is just a metronome, isn’t it?”
Dmitri twitched his cheeks at Kang Hyun’s words. For someone with
little facial expression, it was a sign of a pleasant smile.
“Hey, Hyun, could you watch my performance for a moment too?”
At that moment, violist Chloe asked Kang Hyun in a small voice.
Meanwhile, Christine, witnessing all this, was internally amazed.
The members of the London Symphony were all highly skilled

musicians.
No one knew better than her what it took to join this orchestra.
Yet every member acknowledged this young boy, treating him almost
like a maestro.
‘Maybe I too…’
Christine herself had received help from him.
In the past, she wouldn’t have listened to such a young boy, but
now she trusted his words more than anyone else’s. He had shown
real magic.
Grrrr―
It was the hungry stomach of lead cellist Emanuel. He got up,

saying he was hungry. The other members also looked hungry.
Understandably, they had been practicing for hours without a break.

At that moment…
Creak.
The door to the practice room opened, and a large black man in a
suit appeared.
“Krissy?”
Kang Hyun looked puzzled at the black man, and soon after, a girl
appeared behind him, her hands full of food.
“Yooha?”
The moment the queen of housekeeping made her entrance.
Chapter 124
ZLOOD
2024-07-02
“How do you evaluate a conductor?”
It was a difficult and delicate question.
“From the general public’s perspective, conducting seems hard to

approach and requires charisma to lead an orchestra with just the
tip of the hand. However, since they are not actually playing an
instrument, it’s hard to judge what makes a good conductor and what
doesn’t. Moreover, the audience is always looking at the
conductor’s back.”
It was surprising that such a fundamental question came up at the

press conference for the royal performance. Although they
anticipated unexpected questions, this was unexpected.
Spencer leaned forward towards the reporter who was looking at him.
Most of the general public watching the broadcast might have had
similar thoughts to this reporter.
“Conducting is a profession that interprets and expresses pre-

existing music. People often say that the notes of the deceased
come alive at the conductor’s fingertips. The criteria for
evaluating conducting are similar yet different.”
“Different, you say?”
“Yes. The textbooks say the tip of the baton should move below the
face and above the navel, but when you visit the world’s renowned
symphony orchestras, you see conductors’ hands moving in various
ways. Some use their entire upper body like a thunderstorm, while
others move as gently as a child’s steps.”
Other reporters also began to pay attention and picked up their

notebooks.
“The elements of evaluating conducting are simple. Interpretation

of the piece, technical ability, and communication with the
orchestra members come first. However, these are impossible without
experience and age. Evaluating the conduct of maestros is

particularly difficult.”
“Maestro, what do you mean by difficult?”
“For example, think of Austria’s Empress Karis and America’s

Billstein. If Karis captivates the audience with an unrestrained
melodic movement, Billstein pursues a soft and refined melody. Both
are world-renowned maestros, but their styles are so different that
no one can say who is better. It’s a matter of complete
preference.”
Everyone agreed with the term “preference.” Karis and Billstein

were always mentioned when selecting the world’s top maestros.
“I don’t like to rank music. However.”
As the reporter nodded, Spencer added a word.
“The reason the general audience is so confused is that there is no

absolute standard for evaluating conductors. Today’s orchestras are
so varied, like the Warring States period in China, that no one
easily says who is the best.”
“By absolute standard, do you mean the world’s best?”
“Yes. If among world-renowned maestros, someone appears who

everyone acknowledges as the best, that would set an absolute
standard for conducting. Of course, I’m not referring to myself.”
At that moment, the reporter asked Spencer again, “Then do you have
someone in mind?”
The press conference was nearing its end. But instead of looking at
the clock, everyone focused on Spencer’s lips.
“It’s time for new blood to flow into the London Symphony.”
A peculiar answer slipped out.
Sizzle—!
A spicy aroma that stimulates the appetite tickled the tip of the
nose. It was ramen cooked in rich soybean paste broth. Moreover,
green onions were finely chopped, and an egg was cracked and mixed
in, making it as good as any delicacy.
Even Chloe, the violist who wasn’t very gluttonous, widened her
eyes and swallowed her saliva.
“Please take good care of my oppa—!”

She almost seemed like the wife of a candidate running in a by-

election. Who would have thought of Anseongtangmyeon as a late-
night snack for orchestra members? Of course, it was all prepared
by Director Im Hyera, but who knew it would be carried out so
energetically.
“We should be the ones thanking you. Thanks to Yooha, we get to

enjoy such delicious food every time.”
“Yooha, I heard that in Korea, it’s a culture to order food late at

night?”
“That’s a good question, Michael. The technical term is ‘late-night

snack.’”
Somehow, Son Yooha seemed to get along with the members better than
I did. It’s probably because she visited almost every day.
She prepared late-night snacks like this for the members practicing
late into the night, so they probably saw her as an angel.
The ramen bowls were almost empty.
“Hyun, it’s tomorrow. Aren’t you nervous?”
It was Emanuel, the principal cellist. An entire week had already

passed. Tomorrow, I had to conduct in front of the maestro. But
since I had never stood on the podium even once, the members must
have been puzzled.
“Of course, I’m nervous.”
“Really? I thought you were always confident since you only watched
us practice.”
“I watched the practice to understand the playing characteristics

of the members in detail. I wasn’t sure if I could figure it out in
just a week, but I got the gist.”
The members’ eyes widened. They were probably very curious since I
said I understood their playing characteristics.
Everyone looked at me with evident curiosity, so I couldn’t help

but speak. I told them one by one the playing characteristics I had
noticed.
For example, Emanuel’s bowing subtly changes in parts where the

tempo increases.
In Chloe’s case, when pressing the fingerboard, her index and

middle fingers react later only on specific notes—details the
players themselves might not even be aware of.
As I listed the playing characteristics for each of the dozens of

members, from Emanuel to the new member Christine, their faces were
filled with astonishment.
At that moment, Dmitri shook his head as if in disbelief and spoke.
“If anyone but Hyun had said that, I wouldn’t have believed it. But
I believe it because Hyun corrected our postures and watched our
performances. Do you know what many guest conductors have said
about the London Symphony?”
“Um, I’m not sure.”
“They said it was like a wild beast. They said it was a group of
players that no one could easily control. They could mimic, but
only Maestro Spencer could truly conduct the London Symphony. I’m
really looking forward to tomorrow.”
Then Chloe, who had been watching hesitantly, carefully looked back
and forth between Yooha and me.
“There’s something I’ve been curious about for a while. What’s the
relationship between Yooha and Hyun?”
“Chloe, what do you mean by ‘relationship’—!”
As soon as Chloe finished speaking, Son Yooha immediately raised

her silver ring.
“Hyun, can you conduct to my satisfaction?”
At the maestro’s question, Kang Hyun answered without hesitation.
“If I don’t satisfy you, I can’t learn conducting here. So, I have
to move your heart somehow.”
“You sound confident.”
“It might look that way on the outside, but I’m trembling inside.”
Already, dozens of members were waiting for the conductor in the

Barbican Hall. In a way, wasn’t this the first time conducting in
such a massive concert hall? Nevertheless, Kang Hyun maintained a
calm demeanor. Spencer asked Kang Hyun subtly.
“What about the score?”
“This time, I plan not to look at it.”
“You mean you’ll conduct from memory?”
There are conductors who memorize the score. But even outstanding
maestros don’t always memorize the entire symphony. In fact,
memorizing can hinder the interpretation and technical performance
of the piece because they get caught up in pointing out mistakes.
Kang Hyun surely knew this. So why did he choose to conduct from
memory for his first time?
“I want to bring out the best in the members.”
The maestro, understanding Kang Hyun’s intent, displayed a peculiar

expression. One might think this young boy didn’t know the word
‘nervous’ existed in his body.
Even those who specialized in conducting wouldn’t dare do this.

Moreover, wasn’t he conducting with the unparalleled instrument
that is the London Symphony? Instead of worrying about making no
mistakes, he was focusing on the members.
“I’m looking forward to it.”
Once the maestro left, Kang Hyun tidied his clothes in the empty
waiting room. He handled the practice baton. It was still smooth,
not having been used even once.
The tension pressing down on Kang Hyun’s shoulders was greater than
when he took the bar exam, but his heart was pounding
uncontrollably.
Thump thump thump.
There was only one member of the audience. Only Maestro Spencer,
with his eyes shining, was watching the stage.
Slowly, Kang Hyun walked to the conductor’s podium and exchanged

glances with the numerous members. The tension and silence in the
Barbican Hall were overwhelming, as if a storm was about to hit.
Dmitri, seated at the front of the first violins, looked at Kang

Hyun. At this moment, he regarded Kang Hyun as the guest conductor,
not just a member correcting their posture.
His gaze was so intense that if Kang Hyun made even a slight
mistake, Dmitri’s bowstring would surely stop.
The reason many guest conductors failed with the London Symphony
was simple. They lacked the talent to handle the colossal
instrument that is the London Symphony, and they couldn’t withstand
the pressure.
Then it happened.
When Kang Hyun sent a signal, the members simultaneously prepared.

The members who met Kang Hyun’s gaze tried to swallow their
surprise.
No longer was it the Kang Hyun who corrected their posture and
assisted their practice. His gaze was as intense as that of the
maestro or even stronger.
At that moment, the conductor’s left hand swept over the audience,
And the baton in the right hand swiftly cut through the air.
Dudududung—!
With the movement of the thin baton, dozens of instruments

simultaneously began to play.
The members moved in perfect unison with the baton’s instructions,

dictating the tempo, rhythm, and direction of the melody.
The thunderous continuation of the melody matched the vigorous

movements of his fingertips.
The tempo of the members couldn’t always be the same. Especially in

Beethoven’s Symphony of Fate, where three eighth notes must follow
precisely after a brief eighth rest, this was even more true.
The members had to concentrate intensely on the conductor’s

fingertips, like being in the middle of a battlefield.
Maestro Spencer in the audience leaned forward. Wasn’t the opening

of the first movement similar to his own?
If it were just an imitation, he wouldn’t have been so surprised.

Even Dmitri’s face showed astonishment. The resemblance in
appearance and conducting emotion was so striking that it felt like
Maestro Spencer himself was on the podium.
At the end of the first movement,
Crack.
The conductor’s left hand cut through the air and clenched into a
fist.
At that moment, Kang Hyun on the podium turned around and deeply
bowed toward the audience. It wouldn’t have been possible if it
were a performance, but it was fine now since it was a rehearsal.
The members also understood why Kang Hyun was doing this.
It must have been to express infinite honor and gratitude to

Maestro Spencer for allowing him to stand in the Barbican Hall.
Then Kang Hyun turned around again.
“Now, I will go with my style.”
With a short but firm statement, the members gulped deeply. At that
moment, Maestro Spencer smiled faintly at the boldness of the young
boy.
In a way, it was fortunate that the boy was showing his first
proper conducting with the London Symphony.
Didn’t Beethoven say this about the opening of the Symphony of

Fate:
-Fate knocks at the door like this.
Kang Hyun knocked properly on the door of the London Symphony.
Chapter 125
ZLOOD
2024-07-02
Second Movement, Andante con moto.
Slowly but lively―!
The conductor’s fingertips created ripples on the calm lakeshore.
The viola and cello first accepted Kang Hyun’s conducting.
It was a soft and calm beginning, in stark contrast to the opening

of the first movement, which seemed to knock on the door of fate.
The flow, smoothly continued by the strings and woodwinds, was as
warm as a child’s first steps.
Concertmaster Dmitri smiled faintly at the pleasant excitement.

Wasn’t he the one facing the conductor from the front of the string
section?
Kang Hyun’s image became clearer and more intense in his gaze. It
was surprising enough that he had memorized everything for his
first stage performance, and there wasn’t a trace of nervousness to
be found. Moreover, didn’t he give a sharp look if any of the
members were about to make a mistake?
A conductor’s capability varies depending on how many orchestras

they have experienced. When first stepping onto the podium, one can
feel as if they are standing in the middle of a battlefield,
overwhelmed by the melody of various instruments. This is why most
conductors say they do not want to remember their debut
performance.
It is more accurate to say that they do not remember what they did
and how they did it. However, Kang Hyun was different.
‘Cello―!’
Not only did he skillfully lead variations, but he also paid

attention to even the smallest details.
It was as if he had been conducting for a long time at Dresden, the

Berlin Philharmonic, or the Vienna Philharmonic. It was apt to say
that his eyes and ears encompassed the entire orchestra.
Beethoven, Symphony No. 5.

It was a symphony of such high difficulty that it could be

described as a grueling march. No wonder conductors both love and
dread Beethoven’s works.
Kang Hyun’s fingertips absorbed Beethoven’s intense music with his

whole body. The tip of his baton moved sharply, as if missing not a
single neurotic and sensitive note.
Gulp.
Maestro Spencer watched with bated breath, his eyes wide open. He
had long given up the thought of judging.
He was fully focused on how Kang Hyun, who stood on the podium,
would lead Symphony No. 5. The same was true for the London
Symphony.
Allegro.
From the conductor’s intense fingertips,
the musical theme began to escalate again.
Dudududung―!
At that moment, all the anticipation of the third movement swelled

up and exploded like an active volcano. The London Symphony no
longer saw Kang Hyun as a conductor who was holding the baton for
the first time.
The tip of Kang Hyun’s baton intensely swept through the musical
theme, and the fierce gaze adjusted the melody as if piercing
through the essence. One could feel how excited all the members
were together.
As the baton once again sliced through the musical theme intensely,
the fierce beating of the timpani brought brightness to the
darkness, and the finale of the strings reached the ceiling of the
Barbican Hall.
Crunch―!
Yuri, the lion of the Berlin Philharmonic, fiercely rolled up a

magazine. It was crumpled so badly that it could be used as
kindling.
Through the crumpled magazine, the face of none other than London’s
Spencer was visible.
“This old raccoon!”
“Maestro?”
“No, I just got a bit excited.”
Concertmaster Samuel looked puzzled at the maestro’s sudden

outburst. Wasn’t he a person with very little emotional
fluctuation, almost never showing changes in expression? Even if a
member played a wrong note, he would give a sharp look but never
raise his voice.
“London made the first move. Look at this article.”
“New breeze flows in the London Symphony? Maestro, what does this
mean?”
“It means they also intend to teach Hyun conducting.”
“What?”
Samuel unknowingly raised his voice, not understanding the

maestro’s words. Who is teaching whom conducting?
The London Symphony, like the Berlin Philharmonic, is also ranked

among the world’s best. To conduct a world-class orchestra requires
not only grueling effort but also extensive experience.
Moreover, it was unheard of for Maestro Spencer, the heart of the

London Symphony, to teach someone. He, like Maestro Yuri, was an
incredible perfectionist.
“Maestro, wasn’t Hyun supposed to visit London and Berlin as a

violinist?”
“Samuel, that child’s talent is not limited to the violin.”
Yuri had once taught Hyun conducting during his sabbatical. It

wasn’t advanced techniques but basic conducting methods.
It takes a long time to conduct a 4/4 time signature properly,

matching the harmony and rhythm without awkwardness.
But Hyun was different. He absorbed Yuri’s know-how at once, like a

sponge soaking up water.
“Maestro, even if the principal conductor of the London Symphony

teaches Hyun, the members will not accept it. You know this from
our side. Opinions are divided even about recognizing him as a
violinist, let alone a conductor. Dmitri, the concertmaster, will
certainly not stand still. He is nicknamed the ‘cold-blooded’ for a
reason.”
“No, London has already performed with Hyun. They may have accepted
him much faster than we did. Just as Mozart was able to perform in
front of the Queen of Schönbrunn at the age of six because those
who valued his musical talent over his age supported him.”
Samuel could not continue speaking. Maestro Yuri’s expression was

so serious.
If someone else had praised violinist Hyun this much, it would have
been dismissed as nonsense.
After all, violinist Hyun was very young.
On the other hand, he was curious. What kind of person had so

captivated the lion of the Berlin Philharmonic?
“That was incredible, Hyun―!”
Even though the conducting had ended, the trembling in his chest
did not stop.
The members lightly tapped their music stands with their bows or
stomped their feet in place of applause. There was no other time in
his past or present life when he had been this nervous. Though it
didn’t show on his face, his back was already drenched in sweat.
At that moment.
Clap―!
A single audience member stood up and gave a standing ovation. A

peculiar smile spread across the maestro’s face.
In truth, despite starting confidently, how flustered had he been

at times? The expression ‘battlefield’ was spot on. The melody
appeared like bombs dropping here and there.
It was only after stepping down from the podium that he realized he
had won the battle.
“Hyun, where did you learn to conduct?”
“Yes, we are very curious too. Emmanuel and I made a bet. I bet a
beer tonight that Hyun learned conducting directly from a renowned
Asian maestro in Korea.”
“Michael, I told you, Hyun didn’t learn from anyone. He taught

himself.”
Emmanuel and Michael bickered, making a bet that wasn’t really a

bet. Others were also very curious.
No wonder, since he had conducted so skillfully despite not holding

a baton for a week. Even Dmitri was pricking up his ears.
“The first person who taught me conducting was Maestro Yuri.”

At that moment, it was as if the Barbican Hall was filled with

silence.
It was a fact that would be known eventually. Maestro Spencer also

probably already knew. It was indeed Yuri who first taught him the
basics of conducting.
“Wait, are you talking about the lion of the Berlin Philharmonic?”
“Yes, Emmanuel.”
“Oh my. We were raising a tiger cub from Berlin―!”
Emmanuel had a surprised look as if he had encountered a plot twist

as big as The Sixth Sense. Other members were also the same.
The first to move among them was none other than concertmaster
Dmitri.
“Hyun, let’s first draft a contract.”
“A contract?”
“Berlin may have taught you the basics of conducting, but the place
where you’ll sign the contract will be London first.”
Were they trying to recruit him as a guest violinist or a

conductor? He couldn’t just sign a contract without knowing
anything.
It seemed like a joke, but Dmitri’s cold eyes were as sharp as

ever. Just then, a savior appeared in the Barbican Hall.
“Everyone, practice after having some snacks―!”
It was the queen of support, carrying food in both hands.
On a holiday, we drove past a meadow where sheep grazed and headed

towards the outskirts of London. Of course, Krissy was in the
driver’s seat.
I would’ve loved to drive along the open road myself, but who would
let me? I have several years of accident-free driving experience.
“Oppa, I’m still really upset.”
Next to me was the ice queen, Son Yooha, clinging on tightly. She
seemed to be pouting because I didn’t let her sit in the audience
when I conducted Symphony No. 5. Knowing it was a test probably
softened her sulky mood a bit.
“Yooha, are you coming to Berlin too?”

“Oppa, I’m busy too. I have to go back to America from London―!”
“Really?”
Honestly, I was a bit worried she might cling to me like a sticky

gum all through the vacation. I appreciated her visits but they
were also a burden.
“I’ll be so busy that I won’t be able to visit Korea often to see

you.”
“Hmm?”
“So, if you look at other girls, you won’t get away with it.”
Why did I feel a chill down my spine?
Son Yooha would be taking lessons on corporate management and

succession as a future heiress. After finishing university in
America, she’d return to Korea and join Jeil Trading Company. It
was the beginning of the legend of the ice queen.
Krissy’s words made me look out the window to see a wide coastline.
Unlike in Korea, there were no clam shops or parasols around.
The wide pebble beach was filled with nothing but leisure.
“Oppa, if you make a wish here and throw bread, a seagull will
suddenly appear and take it.”
“A seagull?”
“Yes, if it takes it at once, your wish will definitely come true.”
No matter how hard I looked, there wasn’t a single feather of a

seagull in sight. Despite it being August, London had spring
weather, so it was hard to find anyone picnicking.
Then, Son Yooha took out two small pieces of bread from her bag.
“Here, Oppa.”
“Mine?”
“Yes, I’ll make a wish too. You go first.”
Is there a hierarchy, even in making wishes? Yooha looked at me

with expectant eyes. But no matter how much she expected, there was
no way an invisible seagull would appear out of thin air.
Thunk.
The bread piece fell onto the pebbles with a hollow sound. It was
an awkward moment. But it wasn’t my fault. Who would’ve thought of
waiting for a seagull at the first vacation spot in both my past
and present life?
Then Yooha shouted at me.
“Oppa, you have to say your wish out loud before throwing it―!”
“Isn’t it okay to say it silently?”
“No, you have to say it out loud.”
Who said that?
Krissy, who had been following us from a distance, looked awkward

and rubbed her nose.
It seemed like a legend told by the bodyguard claiming to be a

London native. It was more absurd than throwing coins into the
Trevi Fountain.
Krissy kept glancing around, muttering to herself, “There used to

be a lot of seagulls here.”
Just as I was about to humor Yooha and head back.
“Oppa, I wish for all your desires to come true―!”
Huh?
Yooha threw the bread high into the sky.
Flap-flap―!
At that moment, a white seagull appeared out of nowhere and grabbed

the bread.
Yooha jumped up and down in excitement and hugged me tightly.

Krissy, too, seemed relieved and was offering a prayer.
I was just dumbfounded. It felt like a scene from a movie.
Chapter 126
ZLOOD
2024-07-02
Sizzle―!
The grand mansion in Pyeongchang-dong was bustling. The sound of

sizzling meat and the savory aroma of various pancakes almost made
it feel like a holiday.
The reason was simple. Today was none other than Chairman Wang’s
birthday, and it wouldn’t be an exaggeration to say that all the
noble members of Jeil Group had gathered.
There were enough people to form a soccer team. Chairman Wang had
three sons and two daughters, and enough grandchildren to count on
both hands.
“Father, happy birthday―!”
“Grandfather, happy birthday!”
Following the eldest son Son Ilseon’s words, the voices of the
second son, two daughters, and the grandchildren echoed like a
chorus. Among them was also the third son, Son Hongwon, who had
been estranged from Chairman Wang.
He looked uneasy, as if worried that Chairman Wang would burst out

in anger upon seeing him, looking like a child in need of a
bathroom.
“Alright, thank you. Everyone, raise your glasses.”
On such a joyous day, it was impossible to get angry. The lavish

feast on the table was the only thing shining in the silence.
As the bowls were starting to empty, someone spoke up, unable to

endure the atmosphere any longer.
“Unnie, is Yooha still in America?”
“No, she’s probably in London by now.”
“London? Why would she go there? It would be so nice if she came to

Korea today to wish Grandfather a happy birthday. She’s usually so
perceptive, but she always misses important days like this. Our
Kyungwon woke up from his sleep as soon as he heard it was
Grandfather’s birthday. Oppa Ilseon should scold Yooha a bit.
Staying abroad all the time will spoil her.”
The youngest daughter in charge of the department store joked.
While some siblings feared Son Ilseon, others did not. The youngest
daughter was one of those who didn’t. Since Chairman Wang had
pampered her as a child, she sometimes lacked discernment.
“Yooha visited Korea a week ago. I called her in advance because I

thought there would be too many people today, and we wouldn’t be
able to have a proper conversation.”
“What?”
“I’ve had enough to eat, so you siblings can talk amongst

yourselves.”
When Chairman Wang got up first, the children hesitated. It was

obvious that they had come to Pyeongchang-dong to make a good
impression on him for future inheritance matters.
“Father, I brought some pu-erh tea.”
It was when Chairman Wang was resting in his study. Im Hyera came
in with a teapot and cups. He felt like having some tea to cleanse
his palate, and who else but the daughter-in-law who knew him best
would think of that?
“How’s the atmosphere outside?”
“Most are busy watching Ilseon’s mood. The third son looked
relieved that you didn’t say anything. I was worried you might get
angry.”
“Do you think I would hit the third son on the forehead with a
spoon like Chairman Yoo? The hierarchy among them should be
established by Ilseon, not by someone like me who’s already on his
way out. Look at the youngest; she still thinks she got the
department store because of her talent, and she’s all over the
place.”
In a way, today was more for Son Ilseon than for Chairman Wang.
That’s why the usually strict Chairman Wang had left the seat
first.
“Who do you think will carry the future of Jeil Group?”
“Objectively, among the sons and daughters, Ilseon is the most

capable.”
“Then who will take over after him?”
It was a difficult question to answer. Chairman Wang had more than

ten grandchildren. Among them, Son Yooha was said to be the most
outstanding but was still too young.
Chairman Wang smiled pleasantly as he watched Im Hyera ponder. He

had chosen his daughter-in-law well. He would not give extra points
just because Yooha was his granddaughter.
“That’s enough. By the way, the tea is very well brewed.”
How much time had passed, the teacup was nearly empty.
“Father, what were you looking at just now?”
Im Hyera asked, curious about the thick album on the study desk.
She had been curious since she brought the teapot in.
Chairman Wang smiled mischievously at Im Hyera, who was glancing

around with wide eyes. It was as relaxed a smile as the laughing
children in the photos.
“It’s my only hobby book.”
 The conductor’s hands are heavy.
This was what Maestro Spencer said when he first handed me the
baton. He probably meant that the orchestra’s sound and the
interpretation of the music change at the conductor’s fingertips,
so I should carry a sense of duty.
Even a simple 4/4 time signature can manifest as a grand resonance

if the orchestra trusts and follows the conductor.
 Remember that a dead piece of music must come to life at your

fingertips.
In colloquial terms, a conductor is said to reinterpret the notes

of the dead. They recreate symphonies left by phenomenal composers
who died hundreds or tens of years ago, bringing them to life
through melody.
“Hyun, have I ever told you about when I first learned conducting?”
“What about it?”
“I spent about three years just binding and copying sheet music for
the orchestra members. I had to know exactly what the orchestra
members did, what kind of sound the trombone produced, and what
sheet music each instrument used. After those three years, I
finally got to hold a practice baton.”
I couldn’t believe that even Maestro Spencer had such days. He

wasn’t someone who could command numerous members with a single
gesture.
Seeing his charismatic gaze from the conductor’s podium made

everyone hold their breath. It’s no wonder he’s called the heart of
the London Symphony.
“Looking back on those days, I have many feelings about you, Hyun.
You’re such an outstanding violinist, and you’ve shown incredible
skills as a conductor. Being able to lead an ensemble without
losing your sense amid the sounds of many instruments is a great
blessing.”
“It’s all thanks to your excellent teaching, Maestro.”
“Don’t try to wrap your talent and effort in the word ‘humility.’
Look at your right hand.”
When I looked at my palm, the hand that had held the baton was
already calloused and blistered. The blisters were so white that
anyone would think I had marched with my palm.
Maestro Spencer had spent the past week teaching me conducting with
all his heart. From the basics to his own experienced insights.
As a student, putting in my best effort was the proper etiquette

between teacher and student.
“A guest conductor is like a wanderer searching for an oasis. They

face many challenges outside of conducting as they have to
synchronize with different orchestras each time. That’s why
everyone wants to have their own orchestra as a principal
conductor. However, becoming a principal conductor at one of the
world’s leading orchestras requires passing many gates. I’m curious
to see where you will choose to go at the end.”
What an intense gaze.
It reminded me of when a senior lawyer gave me that look after I

finished my apprenticeship. He had highly recommended joining his
law firm after I graduated from the Judicial Research and Training
Institute.
Of course, the intensity of this gaze was incomparable to that

senior lawyer’s. After all, this was the world’s top maestro.
Then it happened.
“Maestro, the late-night snack delivery is here.”
“Late-night snack?”
Out of nowhere, concertmaster Dmitri’s voice came from beyond the

rehearsal room. The orchestra members had gotten so used to the
word “late-night snack.”
All the members, including Dmitri, had come to the rehearsal room.
It was probably because we would soon be leaving for Germany.
Principal cellist Emmanuel was even holding a cake.
“Hyun, there’s something you must do when you go to Germany.”
“What is it, Emmanuel?”
“Show them what a candidate member of the London Symphony is made

of. Knock those Berlin Phil guys down a peg and come back―!”
I barely managed to hold back a cough.
I had forgotten how fierce the competition was among the world’s
top orchestras. It wasn’t just Emmanuel; the other members had the
same look on their faces.
They looked at me as if I were family. Everyone was cheering me on

with clenched fists as I headed to Berlin. Anyone would think I was
going off to a duel.
August in Germany is like spring in Korea.
“Hyun, we’ve arrived.”
I looked out the car window, wearing just a thin cardigan. The
Berlin Philharmonic Concert Hall had a distinctive exterior and
interior.
The interior was as sophisticated as the exterior, which was

designed in a multi-angular way, making it hard to believe it was
built decades ago.
Moreover, the concert hall’s interior is designed like a vineyard

on a hillside, with various levels and angles of seating. The
farthest seat from the stage is only about 30 meters away.
“There are more people than I thought?”
“I found out that today is a rehearsal day for the Berlin

Philharmonic.”
“A rehearsal?”
After parting with Yooha at the airport, I arrived in Berlin two

days earlier than planned. I had time to spare, so I came to see
the exterior of the concert hall, and it was my lucky day.
“Can the public watch the rehearsal?”
“Sometimes they open it to the public, but today is a rehearsal day

for the academy students.”
“Unfortunately, I won’t be able to see it directly. Chrissy, please

wait in the car for a moment. I’ll take a quick look around the
concert hall.”
I didn’t go straight to find Maestro Yuri. Arriving earlier than

the scheduled date could be considered rude in Western culture.
I was briefly looking around the exterior of the concert hall when
it happened.
“Hyun―!”
An elderly concert hall staff member was calling my name. Thinking

it couldn’t be, I tried to walk away, but I heard my name again,
loud and clear.
“Hyun?”
“That’s my name.”
“Hurry up. How could you take so long in the restroom―!”
Before I could refuse, the old man dragged me into the concert
hall.
He personally checked the seats and sat me down. Others sitting

nearby looked at me with puzzled expressions.
Then it happened.
“Everyone, please focus―!”
As the orchestra members in casual clothes took the stage, the

previously noisy auditorium instantly fell silent. The academy
students’ eyes were more serious than ever.
Of course, it was the Berlin Philharmonic. It wouldn’t be an

exaggeration to say that these students all dreamed of joining the
Berlin Philharmonic.
‘The maestro isn’t here yet.’
Not all rehearsals were attended by the maestro. Sometimes the

concertmaster took that role, and today was likely one of those
days, meant for showcasing individual skills to the academy
students.
Following the concertmaster’s signal, the rehearsal began.
‘Amazing.’
A different kind of admiration burst forth compared to my time with

the London Symphony. Especially the concertmaster, whose abilities
were beyond words.
Unlike Dmitri of the London Symphony, who excelled more as a

performer than a conductor, the Berlin Philharmonic’s concertmaster
had equally impressive skills as a conductor. Even his cold
appearance was similar.
“If anyone has questions, please raise your hand now.”
During a short break after the second movement, the concertmaster

addressed the audience, but there was no response.
The academy students seemed frozen by his charisma. It was

understandable since the rehearsal was impeccable even in their
eyes.
“May I ask a question?”
At that moment, Kang Hyun slowly raised his hand.
“Sure, but what is your name?”

“I’m Hyun.”
The concertmaster, Samuel, squinted his eyes at the young-looking

student. Somehow, the name didn’t feel unfamiliar.
Meanwhile,
“I need to go in.”
“I’m telling you, the rehearsal has already started, so you can’t
go in.”
Choi Hyun, a 27-year-old academy student from Shanghai, was having

an argument with another staff member at the entrance of the
concert hall.
Of all days, why did he have to have an upset stomach on the day he
had been eagerly waiting to attend the Berlin Philharmonic’s
rehearsal?
Chapter 127
ZLOOD
2024-07-02
“What are you curious about?”
Normally, I wouldn’t have stepped forward like this. Not only do I

dislike receiving attention, but it was also an uninvited place.
But hadn’t the melody continued to touch my ears? As if testing me.
“Why did you change the arrangement of the introduction of the

first movement?”
“You said the arrangement was changed?”
“Yes, in the original score, the introduction of the fourth part

starts with a slow tempo and floating harmony. It transitions from
a creepy, dark atmosphere, like walking through the night streets,
where B-flat minor changes to major and then from C minor to D
major, continuously changing the flow until the resounding
brilliance of the trumpet.”
Beethoven, Symphony No. 4.
The early Romantic composer Schumann described this piece as ‘a

slender Greek beauty between two Nordic giants.’ And rightly so,
Beethoven’s 3rd Symphony ‘Eroica’ and 5th Symphony ‘Fate’ are such
masterpieces. There’s even a saying that all of Beethoven’s beloved
symphonies are odd-numbered.
At that moment.
“However, the introduction of the 4th movement you conducted was

faster than the markings in the score, almost like a scherzo.”
It was a change in the introduction so brief that one could call it

a moment. Even a regular classical music enthusiast wouldn’t have
noticed it. At first, I thought I misheard, but by the second
movement, I was sure of it.
“And in the second movement, you switched the themes of the first
and second violins. The second violin was singing along with the
dotted rhythm accompaniment pattern of the first violin.”
“How can you be so sure? Since it was a rehearsal, the seating

arrangements could be different than usual. The member you thought
was in the first violin part could have been in the second violin
part.”
“The melody is different for each part.”
Having experienced the Belgian Symphony Orchestra and the London

Symphony, I could clearly tell. Each part has its characteristic
habits and nuances.
Of course, not all symphony orchestras are the same, but each
violin part has its unique melody. Think of it as the difference
between soprano and alto.
“Have you ever attended a Berlin Phil rehearsal before?”
I had seen performances by the Berlin Phil in my past life. But

this was my first time attending a rehearsal. The interest was
evident in the conductor’s eyes.
“Do you have some time to talk more?”
“It would be my honor.”
Suddenly, memories of my judicial training days came flooding back.

In my past life, hadn’t I engaged in long debates with senior
professors about numerous precedents and legal interpretations?
Of course, it wasn’t to show off or to put down the senior

professors. It was purely to quench the thirst that grew the more I
studied. There was a reason they called me a ‘studious beast.’
Indeed, now that I had superior software, that thirst was even
greater, not less.
Gulp―!
How much time had passed? By now, the undergraduates of the Berlin
Academy were looking at me with astonished eyes. Even the members
on stage were looking at me with curious eyes.
Though we conversed for a long time, it was a heated debate where

no one could speak. I rebutted the conductor’s words, and the
conductor immediately countered my points.
Was I upset? Not at all, I felt refreshed, as if I had just come

out of a sauna. The conductor must have felt the same.
“What is your major at the Berlin Academy? Conducting?”
“No.”
“Then, are you a violinist?”
Oh no, how should I explain this? Even the undergraduates of the

Berlin Academy sitting next to me looked curious. In reality, I was
just a high school student. It was a moment where I felt my throat
tighten as if it were tuned by a string winder.
“Maestro.”
Like a relief pitcher, the lion of the Berlin Phil entered the
concert hall.
As soon as the maestro, nicknamed the lion, stepped onto the stage,
even though it was a rehearsal, an inexplicable tension and silence
fell over.
The maestro briefly glanced over the full score and then looked up
to check the academy undergraduates in the audience. Then,
“Hyun?”
He looked at me with a puzzled expression.
“Yes, Maestro.”
“What are you doing there?”
Indeed.
“Mr. Son, congratulations, though it’s late.”
It was a box that looked expensive at a glance.
“Old man, what is this?”
“Open it. It’s a gift from an older brother to a younger one.”
“Come on, man. There’s only a two-year gap between us, what do you
mean by older brother?”
As he opened the box, revealing oak bark and moss, there lay a
noble-looking ginseng. It was long enough to reach from the crown
to the roots, about the size of a palm.
“It’s a wild ginseng I found halfway up Jirisan Mountain. I asked a

ginseng digger I know to get it for me. You know how hard it is to
find one this good.”
“Chairman Yoo, are you really giving me this entire root?”
“I already ate a small one on my way here.”
Of course, Chairman Wang could easily buy ginseng with his money.
But wild ginseng from Korea is not easy to obtain.
Chairman Wang carefully plucked a small side root and ate it. Then,
“It feels like a furnace is burning inside my body―!”
His wrinkled face turned rosy. Chairman Wang and Chairman Yoo
talked with blooming faces. The main topic was business in China.
“I was planning to send Hyun to China with Mr. Kang as soon as he

returns. It’s because of Hyun that Dongju thinks favorably of
Tianjin.”
“Chairman Yoo, isn’t it fascinating? No one can teach guanxi, yet.”
Just as Chairman Wang said, Hyun knew how to win the hearts of the
Chinese.
In China, prices vary based on guanxi. In that sense, Hyun seemed

to be born with an understanding of guanxi, as he sent gifts and
letters to Deng Zheng every year.
“If your second son and my third could follow even half of Hyun’s
example, it would be great. Both are just growing older without
maturing.”
At that moment,
Chairman Wang’s secretary entered the reception room. After

whispering something to the secretary, Chairman Wang’s eyes
widened.
“The third one is here.”
“Hongwon?”
“Yes, he seems to have come to ask for forgiveness, kneeling at the

mansion’s entrance, just like the birthday table incident where he
hinted at wanting a subsidiary.”
Chairman Wang’s third son, Son Hongwon, had disappointed him

multiple times with his lack of business acumen. They say you can
predict ten things from one; he was clearly not suited for
business.
Chairman Wang plucked another small root of the wild ginseng.
“Secretary Kim, bring a large ladle.”
A spoon wouldn’t be enough to fix the third one’s mindset.
‘That undergraduate is violinist Hyun?’
Conductor Samuel’s face was clearly flustered. The other members

were equally surprised.
Who would have thought that a prospective member invited by the

maestro would be present at a rehearsal attended by Berlin Academy
undergraduates? They were amazed by Hyun’s deep musical knowledge
and experience.
“The members were quite surprised.”
The lion of the Berlin Phil, Yuri, greeted me in his office. Though
it was two days earlier than scheduled, his face showed only a
gentle smile.
The reason was simple. Unintentionally, I had shown off my skills

to the members.
“Especially Conductor Samuel seemed quite shocked to find out you

were not just a Berlin Academy student but also the prospective
member violinist Hyun whom I had invited. Did you plan this
surprise?”
“No, Maestro. There was no intention to deceive. Since we are both

Asian and have similar names, the staff seemed to have mistaken
me.”
“Indeed, I know you don’t enjoy such antics. But the members might
think differently.”
Undoubtedly, I had left a strong impression from the first meeting.

Who would think of debating music with the conductor of the Berlin
Phil?
“Hyun, even though I called you to Berlin Phil out of my desire,

the members’ resistance is not insignificant. They won’t show it in
front of me, but I’m telling you so you don’t get hurt.”
“I had already anticipated it.”
“You anticipated it?”

Of course, this is the world’s top-rated symphony orchestra. The

members’ musical pride and values are incomparable.
Just as the new members of the London Symphony had done, they
wouldn’t be pleased with a prospective member suddenly dropping
from the sky. Come to think of it,
‘Tsk.’
Hadn’t I experienced this in my past life as well? When I graduated

from high school in the provinces and moved to Seoul, there was
quite an uproar when a provincial graduate topped the entrance exam
at Korea University Law School. The prodigies who had taken the
exam after receiving extensive private education must have felt
quite humiliated to be surpassed by someone like me.
“Experiencing Berlin Phil as a musician is priceless. I will strive

to earn the members’ recognition.”
“You don’t seem nervous at all.”
“I’m not lacking in confidence. I’ve already made a promise.”
Hadn’t Emanuel repeatedly advised me? He said the Berlin Phil

members would undoubtedly be territorial because I was different
from them.
The London Symphony was a unique case. Most of the top orchestras
in the world have strict discipline, almost like a military unit.
Their musical pride was also strong. There’s even a history of

members uniting to oust an incompetent conductor.
If it weren’t for Maestro Yuri’s influence, I wouldn’t have been

invited to Berlin as a prospective member.
“By the way, you learned conducting in London, right?”
“Pardon?”
“I saw an interview. The Maestro in London mentioned that a new

wave of conducting would flow through London.”
It seemed an interview had taken place without my knowledge. But to

say a new wave would flow through London, was it just my
imagination or did Maestro Yuri’s eyes seem unusually intense?
“Hyun, what do you want to learn in Berlin?”
It was a straightforward question. I hadn’t thought about what I

wanted to learn from Berlin Phil. I was just very curious about it.
Wasn’t it the ideal place that many musicians, including Baek
Junghoon, aspired to?
Then Yuri leaned in and asked again.

“You haven’t signed a contract with London yet, have you?”
“No, Maestro.”
“Then that’s a relief. It means we still have a chance.”
Why did I suddenly feel a cold sweat trickling down my back? Which
musician wouldn’t be thrilled to receive such a love call from the
world’s top orchestra? And at just seventeen years old.
“Hyun, did you come here alone?”
Oh no, I unconsciously stood up. Hadn’t it already been an hour

since I entered the concert hall?
At that moment, Chrissy’s urgent voice came through the internal

speakers of the concert hall. If I were any later, it would be a
scene straight out of a movie.
Chapter 128
ZLOOD
2024-07-02
“Hyun, have you traveled abroad a lot?”
A savory smell stimulates the taste buds.
“Why?”
The German sausage Blutwurst is similar in texture and taste to our

country’s blood sausage. If you generously slice the sausage into a
broth made with ramen soup and minced garlic, and substitute pasta
for glass noodles, you get a truly avant-garde fusion dish.
“It just seemed like you were very familiar with shopping at Aldi
and cooking. I felt this way since London, but I held back my
curiosity.”
“Really?”
It wasn’t unreasonable for Chrissy to feel that way.
Considering he was just a first-year high school student, he had

quite a bit of experience abroad. Moreover, his skilled cooking
abilities could be attributed to his previous life of living alone.
Even after getting married, he never once received a meal from his
wife, so it wasn’t surprising.
“And your pronunciation too. It’s like someone who has lived in
England for a long time.”
“I studied hard on my own in Korea.”

“To think you learned such pronunciation through self-study. I have

a cousin who immigrated to London as a child, but your
pronunciation is better than his. Even better than someone who has
lived in England for over ten years.”
I waved my hand in modesty at Chrissy’s compliment. It wasn’t an

exaggeration to say I studied English for decades if you include my
past life.
Anyway, there was a lot of food. From army stew to pork knuckles
mimicking Schweinshaxe, it was like a panorama of East and West
spread out on the table. I felt like having a cold beer
immediately.
“I’m sorry I can’t cook. I never imagined you would prepare so much
food alone.”
“It’s okay. I’m just glad we chose to stay in a regular house

instead of a hotel. This way, we can invite guests over.”
Just then, the doorbell rang.
“Welcome, Maestro. Concertmaster.”
Maestro Yuri and Concertmaster Samuel had arrived. As soon as they

opened the door, they seemed quite taken aback by the smell of
food.
They probably never imagined I would prepare such a feast.
The basics of social life involve winning over your superiors.

Europeans, in particular, value dinner invitations, so it must have
made a big impression.
Having honed my skills dealing with Chinese people through guanxi

in my past life, this was nothing.
“I should be the one inviting you, but I feel embarrassed to be

invited by you.”
“Maestro, it doesn’t matter who invites whom. What’s important is

spending a warm evening together.”
The saying goes, “Know your enemy and know yourself, and you will
win a hundred battles.” These two were perfect for understanding
the personal details of the meticulous Berlin Philharmonic members.
Especially Concertmaster Samuel was the most needed person. To
properly experience the Berlin Philharmonic in just fifteen days.
“Did you call a hotel chef?”
“Of course not. I made it myself, for both of you.”
If the Domestic Queen shined in London,

It’s time for the King of Guanxi to shine here in Berlin.
“Alberto, is this how you do it?”
Kang Hyun was busy mingling with the Berlin Philharmonic members
since morning. He hadn’t let go of the sheet music and violin for a
moment, and the reason he was so desperate was right here.
European and American orchestras have different styles. While

Americans build their skills based on textbook techniques,
Europeans prioritize the interpretation of the piece over
technique.
Especially, world-renowned symphony orchestras tend to have their

unique nuances for each repertoire.
“So, for the trill in the third movement, like this?”
“Hyun, that’s it!”
First violin sub-principal Alberto gave a thumbs-up. He was better

than most new members. No, he was on par with the experienced
members.
Typically, new members struggle to adapt when moving from a minor

symphony to a major one. The playing techniques and interpretations
are so different.
It’s like a child learning to walk for the first time; you have to
go back to basics. It’s often said that it takes at least five
years to adapt to a major orchestra.
‘Amazing.’
Concertmaster Samuel glanced at Hyun, who was moving among the

members, conversing with them.
Usually, new members are overwhelmed and can’t show their full
potential. But Hyun was different.
‘Is he really made for the orchestra?’
Being an outstanding soloist and being a great orchestra member are

completely different matters.
Even excellent solo performers can sometimes create discord in an

orchestra.
Initially, Samuel thought Hyun might be similar to them. But his

expectations were beautifully shattered.
“What do you think about Tchaikovsky’s piece?”

“Yes, I’m curious about your thoughts. It’s the repertoire for our
next concert. Especially your thoughts on Symphony No. 6.”
“Tchaikovsky’s ‘Pathétique’ is truly amazing. It’s like his final

agony expressed in a piece. Though ‘Winter Dreams’ is good, I think
this piece best expresses his final shadow. The extreme contrast
between pianissimo and fortissimo becomes even more pronounced in
live performance. I once had the chance to hear the Moscow
Philharmonic perform it in Russia.”
He instantly captivated the members. Not only was his playing

excellent, but his rapport with the members was also outstanding.
Who could dislike that? Even those who initially opposed him were
won over by his eloquence.
Concertmaster Samuel was bewildered. The members of the Berlin

Philharmonic, known for their musical pride and strong
personalities, were now showing favor towards Hyun.
Hyun was as adept as someone who had dealt with people for decades.
In many ways.
“The second movement of ‘Pathétique’ has a 5/4 time signature and

contains a Slavic and uneasy metaphor, but the Moscow Philharmonic
was different. Instead of maintaining a fragile mirage-like unease,
it exuded a warm and gentle melody. Almost like a Russian folk
song.”
“I’m very curious about how it felt. I heard the conductor of the
Moscow Philharmonic changed. Thanks to the new associate conductor,
their icy melody melted. Hyun, could you tell us more?”
“Just a moment. Could everyone help me?”
In an instant, he gathered all the instruments used in ‘Pathétique’

from woodwinds to strings. He even instructed on tempo, dynamics,
and emotions as if recalling the musical phrases.
At that time, there were individual parts but no full score. Yet
Hyun signaled to the members as if he had memorized the full score.
Even Samuel, who was watching, had to join in. After all, he had
been invited to dinner, so he had to earn his keep.
“A bit warmer here!”
Before long, the melody of the Moscow Philharmonic was recreated

through his fingertips.
“The more popular you are,”
They say to row while the tide is in your favor.

“Avoid excessive media exposure.”
However, excessive attention can sometimes have negative effects.
Director Im Hyera was an exceptional supporter. Considering Hyun’s

age, she curtailed further media exposure. She was different from
other agencies that treated artists as mere consumables.
“Did the reporters find out that Hyun is in Berlin?”
“Yes, I received a call from Chief Editor Choi of the East-West

Daily a few days ago. He said he saw a boy resembling Hyun at
Berlin Airport. He keeps contacting me, asking if there’s any
scoop. Of course, I replied that it was news to me.”
“It’s okay. I’ll handle it.”
Surely, with the backing of the Jeil Group’s mistress, no one would
dare write a bad article about Hyun.
But just in case, it was better to keep things under wraps. To

avoid any articles about Hyun from appearing.
Public service ads were unavoidable due to government policy, but

further national attention was unwelcome.
‘No matter how I think about it, he has a broad vision.’
Director Im Hyera recalled what Hyun had said before heading to

London.
Hadn’t he said that if reporters knew he was doing fieldwork at the

London and Berlin symphony orchestras, they would make a fuss? For
example, receiving exaggerated spotlights.
He wasn’t exaggerating. Even those unfamiliar with classical music

would have heard of the London Symphony and Berlin Philharmonic’s
reputation.
-Just as a flower loves the sun, if it loves too much, it

eventually withers and dies.
He had an insight that seemed beyond his seventeen years. Hyun had
already realized the truth of life—too much is as bad as too
little.
Director Im Hyera often wondered about Hyun’s age. No matter how

she looked at it, his skills in dealing with people didn’t seem
like those of a seventeen-year-old student.
Buzz.
He performed a self-composed piece in front of the Berlin

Philharmonic members. Although he had played it in a recital, it
hadn’t been released as an album yet. Like Baek Jung-hoon, the
members’ eyes were filled with surprise.
“Hyun, what’s the title of that piece?”
“It doesn’t have one yet. It’s just numbered.”
“What?”
First violin sub-principal Alberto raised his voice. The other

members were the same. They were astonished that the piece they had
listened to so attentively was just numbered.
“I always feel that Hyun lacks self-awareness.”
“That’s right. There’s never been a musician of Hyun’s age who has
made such a confident impression in the Berlin Philharmonic.”
“You flatter me.”
He had already become quite friendly with the Berlin Philharmonic

members. Having won over Concertmaster Samuel with a dinner
invitation and familiarizing himself with the members’
personalities in advance had been quite helpful.
Moderate eloquence and social skills were basic. After all, in his
past life, he had dealt with numerous people as a prosecutor and
lawyer and met various types while preparing to become a member of
the National Assembly, so he was adept.
At that moment.
“Hyun, Maestro wants to see you for a moment.”
The Maestro suddenly called for me.
Wondering if I had done anything wrong, I pondered all the way to

the conductor’s waiting room but couldn’t think of any missteps.
On the contrary, I had adapted to the Berlin Philharmonic better

than anyone else over the past few days. In fact, I might have
adapted the fastest among all the past members.
“Maestro, did you call for me?”
Maestro Yuri had something to say. With a meaningful look, he

started to speak.
“Hyun, you know there’s a Berlin Philharmonic concert coming up

soon, right?”
“Yes, Maestro. It’s a free concert for the Berlin Academy and local
residents, right?”
“That’s right. It’s an annual concert. It’s for the Academy and
residents who have helped elevate the Berlin Philharmonic’s
reputation.”
Although it was a free concert, the members’ practice continued

daily without a break. In a way, it seemed more important than any
other concert.
That’s because, even though it was free, showing subpar skills

would tarnish the Berlin Philharmonic’s reputation.
“Guest conductors always hope to eventually have their own

orchestra. But to achieve that, they need to go through numerous
experiences and symphonies. How long do you think it typically
takes to become a permanent conductor of a world-renowned
orchestra, known as a major one?”
“I don’t know. Doesn’t it vary by conductor?”
“Some take ten years, some even longer, and some never make it.
Just having the skills doesn’t guarantee you’ll be given the baton
at a world-renowned orchestra. It’s often said that it’s a position
chosen by the god of music. But sometimes, guest conductors get
opportunities. When the scheduled permanent conductor fails to
manage their condition, or when the associate conductor position is
vacant.”
What on earth was the Maestro trying to say? As my curiosity grew,

he continued.
“In the upcoming concert, would you like to conduct the second
part?”
“Excuse me?”
“Of course, only if the members approve.”
The Berlin Philharmonic’s lion Yuri was smiling faintly, as if

everything was going according to plan.
Chapter 129
ZLOOD
2024-07-02
“Are you referring to Tchaikovsky’s Pathétique?”
Concertmaster Samuel unconsciously raised his voice.
“Maestro, no matter how exceptional Hyun is, he’s still just

sixteen. While his abilities as a violinist have been confirmed,
conducting is a different matter. Even the eternal maestro Gustav
didn’t wield the baton at that age. The resistance from the
orchestra members won’t be trivial either.”
“Samuel, do you really think so?”

“Pardon?”
At that moment, Samuel recalled when Kang Hyun conducted the second
movement of the Pathétique for the members.
It was a brief tuning session to recall the melody of the Moscow

Philharmonic, but he was so adept at it. It was as if he had
experienced such situations countless times, like a veteran.
“The first time I held a baton was in Heschwald, Saxony. As a guest

conductor, not only was I not renowned, but even the members hardly
knew my name. A guest conductor is essentially a stranger. When the
rehearsal time ended, the members would promptly close their scores
and put their instruments in their cases. Of course, if it was just
that, it wouldn’t have mattered. Although it was disappointing, the
allotted time was set for them.”
“Maestro.”
“When you conduct, there are times when you miss the tempo or
create dissonance you’re unaware of. In my younger days, my skills
as a conductor were not that high. However, in such times, those
with sharp ears among the members would immediately notice and
start packing up to leave.”
The pride of orchestra members is immense. Especially towards guest

conductors, they were even harsher. From their perspective, it was
a way of drawing boundaries.
If a conductor showed any lack of skill or even a slight gap, they

would quickly fall out of favor with the members. It’s no wonder
conductors are described as eternal uninvited guests until they
have their own orchestra.
“If my younger self were to meet the current Berlin Philharmonic,

what do you think would happen? I might freeze up, unable to raise
the baton, struggling to follow Berlin Philharmonic’s
interpretation and flow, making a fool of myself.”
This was not self-deprecation. It was just an honest statement.

Although he is now called the lion of the Berlin Philharmonic, it
wasn’t the case several decades ago.
“Look at Hyun now. I’m not talking about his rapport with the
members. Erase his age and youthful appearance, and look at his
inner skills. That kid definitely has the talent to be a conductor.
The question is how big his potential is. I want to find out on
this stage.”
If you hadn’t met the violinist Hyun in person, it would be hard to

believe. Who would entrust the conducting of the Berlin
Philharmonic to a young boy? Especially for Tchaikovsky’s
Pathétique.
Yuri, the lion of the Berlin Philharmonic, added with a peculiar

smile.
“There is a superstition among conductors. They end up joining the

orchestra where they had their debut performance.”
If Spencer from London had heard this, he would have likely glared
with wide eyes.
Is this how monks contemplating leaving the world feel? Even though
it’s not menopause, my heart is restless.
When I came to Berlin and London, I tried to avoid exposure as much

as possible. I intended to absorb the know-how of the maestros and
disappear like a thief. The reason was simple.
‘Tsk.’
What happened to the prodigies who received excessive media

attention in their childhood?
Though my case was different, I disliked the excessive media

attention. Hadn’t I felt it deeply in my past life?
At first, one gets addicted to people’s attention, but soon

realizes it’s like junk food without any nutritional value. This is
especially true if you’re not entering politics.
In my case, I was more inclined towards personal satisfaction than

fame as a musician.
“Hyun, we’ve arrived.”
Krissy’s voice snapped me out of my thoughts.
Outside the car window was a small shop that looked like an antique
store, with a German sign that read “Deer’s Fate,” indicating we
were at the right place.
Where is this? Maestro Gustav once whispered to me about this sheet

music store in Berlin.
He had told me to definitely visit this place when in Germany.
“Krissy, please wait in the car for a moment.”
“Hyun, don’t disappear suddenly like last time. You won’t move to
another place without telling me, right? Promise me.”
“Don’t worry. I’ll only be here. How could a sparrow pass by a

mill?”
Krissy kept her eyes wide open, not looking away. It seemed she
didn’t understand the Korean joke.
Ding.
The small bell on the doorknob announced the arrival of a customer.

However, the old man with white hair didn’t even get up.
Well, whether he responded or not didn’t really matter.
“Ooh—!”
Even if I saw a Patek Philippe watch, my eyes wouldn’t widen like

this. The batons made of walnut, ash, and olive wood caught my eye.
Is there no such place in Korea? The prices are low, and there is
little demand, so there are few sellers. In the declining classical
music scene of the 90s in Jongno, it was hard to find a high-
quality baton.
“Yes, this grip.”
Conductors are picky. They go to great lengths to find a baton that

suits them.
If you know how important the weight balance and grip of a baton
are when conducting, you’ll understand how valuable this small
wooden stick is.
Some sensitive conductors even cut branches themselves and sand

them.
“Hmm.”
It feels like being surrounded by luxury watches, but none of them

are quite right. Or perhaps it’s like Harry Potter choosing a magic
wand. There’s no baton that fits perfectly. Then, it happened.
Zing—!
A high-pitched sound, like a bow scraping the strings, caught my

ear. The source of the sound was none other than the old man with
white hair.
He was holding a violin, struggling as if in a fierce battle. It

looked more like he was fighting with the violin than tuning it.
I couldn’t stand it any longer and moved closer.
“Sir, may I take a look?”
“You?”
“Yes, I know a bit about violins.”
Though my German was clumsy, communication wasn’t a problem.

The old man handed over the violin, his wrinkled eyes filled with
doubt and suspicion.
It was understandable. How could a young man like me, who looked
much younger than someone who had spent a lifetime in a sheet music
store, know more about violins? However, after a few adjustments…
Zing.
A soft and rich melody emerged. The old man looked at me in

disbelief, as if he had seen a ghost. It was possible because of my
sharper senses and ears compared to others.
I could detect the very slight twist in the fingerboard and

soundboard beneath the strings. To exaggerate, the difference
between the old man’s eyesight and mine was like that between a
magnifying glass and a microscope.
“Excuse me, could you look at these as well?”
The old man, who had been in a daze, suddenly stood up and
hurriedly brought several old violin cases.
I wondered why so many old violins were stored in a sheet music

store.
“Phew—!”
It felt like I had become a master doctor. Just as I was about to

get up after tuning the last patient, I mean, violin.
“Young man, take this.”
“Yes?”
“I noticed you were looking at batons earlier. Unfortunately, those

over there don’t suit you. While the ash wood has a good grip, the
weight balance is probably off, and the olive wood is the
opposite.”
Did he have eyes on the side of his head? He seemed to know

everything I had done.
I received a small wooden box from the old man. When I carefully
opened the lid, an old baton lay inside.
“Try holding it.”
The grip fit perfectly, and the weight balance was excellent. But
the most important thing was that my heart started pounding
uncontrollably as soon as I held the old baton.
Seeing my face flush red, the old man continued.
“It contains the essence of Berlin.”

Cicada sounds buzzed—!
The heat of August was in full swing. Under the scorching sun, as
hot as the mirage rising from the asphalt, the piano keys never
stopped.
Baek Junghoon’s long fingers danced tirelessly over the keys. It

was like watching a long-legged spider move.
‘Here, marcato—!’
His fingertips bounced off the keys like springs. The melody was
heavy and grand, but his fingertips were sharp.
From his shoulders to his elbows to his fingertips, he carefully

pressed the black and white keys like a well-honed gladiator’s
sword.
Only after the last note was played did he finally exhale.
“Haa—!”
Baek Junghoon exhaled the breath he had been holding and wiped the
sweat off his forehead.
The more he played the sheet music, the more he realized how
amazing Kang Hyun was. As he danced his fingers over the keys to
interpret the composer’s notes, he felt like he was walking through
a maze.
Did it seem complicated and difficult? No, it was a sweet maze he

never wanted to leave.
Even though practicing all night wasn’t enough, Baek Junghoon was
also eager to hear what Kang Hyun would think of his performance.
“Junghoon, did you stay up all night again?”
At that moment, Im Hyera, the director, entered Kang Hyun’s studio.

Currently, only two people had access to Hyun’s studio when he
wasn’t there.
“Take a break while you’re at it. I’m worried you’ll collapse.”
“I want to, but if I don’t master this sheet music, my little

master will scold me.”
“Master?”
Baek Junghoon added with a fresh smile.
“Director, what time is Hyun arriving tomorrow?”

“Oh, Junghoon, you haven’t heard the news yet.”
“Pardon?”
Im Hyera shook her head.
“Hyun decided to stay in Berlin for another week.”
Should he be happy or not, a subtle emotion flickered in Baek

Junghoon’s eyes.
“The essence of Berlin?”
First violin sub-principal Alberto couldn’t hold back his laughter.
“Hyun, how much did you pay for it?”
Upon hearing the price, he said, “You got scammed.” When I looked
at the members with a puzzled expression, Alberto stopped laughing
and explained further.
“Deer’s Fate is an old place, but young musicians don’t visit it

often. It’s dusty, and the sheet music condition isn’t great.
Moreover, the owner is known for his grumpy personality.”
“Really?”
“Yes. What kind of wood did he say it was made from?”
Come to think of it, I didn’t hear what kind of wood was used. I
grabbed it because of the perfect grip and weight balance. On a
normal day, I would have been meticulous, but that day I acted as
if I was possessed.
“Well, it’s fortunate.”
“Alberto?”
“I always thought you were too perfect for your age, which was
somewhat scary. You were like a mini maestro. It’s good to see some
flaws; it makes you more human.”
I appreciated his roundabout way of saying I was clumsy.
Normally, I would have left Berlin by now, but I decided to stay a

bit longer.
Although I intended to stay quietly, the opportunity to conduct the

Berlin Philharmonic, the world’s best orchestra, doesn’t come
often.
Then it happened.
“Hyun, if the conducting goes wrong, we’ll stop midway.”
Concertmaster Samuel spoke sharply.
The other members were the same. I thought we were getting closer,
but as soon as they heard I was conducting, they turned cold.
That’s how it should be. In music, you must be cold and have a firm
world of your own.
Even though it was a rehearsal, it felt more real than a real

performance.
“Hyun, if you want, you can come back to the violin section.”
“I’ll pass, Alberto.”
It wasn’t that I disliked the violin. The problem was different.

The old baton in my hand made my heart pound too intensely.
To exaggerate, even amidst the tuning of numerous instruments, my

heartbeat was clearly audible.
At that moment, the tip of the old baton gleamed fiercely.
Chapter 130
ZLOOD
2024-07-02
“Special stage?”
Adam, the chief editor of Gramophone, tilted his head as if he

didn’t understand.
“Maestro, if you don’t mind, could you please tell me exactly what
kind of stage you’re talking about?”
“It will be a stage different from any previous Berlin Philharmonic

performances.”
“Different stage?”
Adam’s eyes filled with interest.
The reason was simple. Orchestras have their own identities.

Especially the Berlin Philharmonic, which carries its unique color
and melody like a tradition.
But a different stage from the past?
“Can you tell me more in detail, Maestro?”
Moreover, it was the Berlin Philharmonic, known for being

particularly strict and cold as the Siberian north wind.
It was at that moment when Adam’s throat bobbed up and down.
“A reserve member will be on stage.”
“A reserve member?”
Orchestras often had reserve members. However, it was rare for them
to actually perform on stage. They were ‘reserves’ after all.
Even if a reserve member took the place of a regular member for

some reason, what was so special about it? However, in the Berlin
Philharmonic, it was a special event.
“Maestro, has a reserve member ever performed on the Berlin

Philharmonic stage before?”
“Not once during my conductorship.”
Well, it felt like winning the lottery unexpectedly. The old saying
that opportunities come when you least expect them was true.
Stopping by Berlin by chance, he smelled a scoop. Questions
continued like peeling a Russian doll.
“Is it the winner of the recent Paganini Competition?”
“If you mean William from the UK, no.”
“Then is it a member from another symphony?”
The Berlin Philharmonic, renowned as the world’s best philharmonic.

Most musicians couldn’t even dream of getting a spot there. Some
musicians made joining the Berlin Philharmonic their lifelong goal.
Even a reserve member would be extraordinary. Especially since it

was an unprecedented move by the lion of Berlin.
“Since London has taken the lead, I will tell you who it is.”
“What? Taken the lead in London?”
“It would be someone the editor already knows. As far as I know,

you were interested before I was.”
Yuri’s voice was tantalizing, like watching a fishing bobber dip in

and out of the water. Slowly, the fishing rod was lifted under his
cold gaze.
“It’s violinist Hyun.”
A big catch, not a small fry.
“Got a big one—!”

The first violin co-principal, Alberto, shouted excitedly.
A large fish was hooked on the fishing line that drew an arc.
Where were they? They had come to enjoy freshwater fishing with the
members on a holiday. Practicing without any rest would only lead
to mistakes.
“Hyun, did you often go fishing with your father?”
“No, not really.”
One of the members added, seeing me skillfully pull the fish out
and remove the hook. I just smiled faintly, avoiding the topic.
Thinking back, I hadn’t been fishing with my father. In my past

life, and even in this one, my father was always working hard. When
I go back to Korea, I should make time to spend with my father.
“The way you cast the fishing rod doesn’t seem like you’ve only
done it a few times.”
“Is that so?”
“Yeah, many Germans go fishing with their fathers instead of

playing catch when they’re young. Seeing your skilled movements
reminds me of my father.”
Of course, in my past life, I had to learn not only golf but also
hiking and freshwater fishing. Didn’t I often go on outings with
the deputy prosecutor every weekend?
On the surface, it was for health, but in reality, it was to hold

on tightly to the lifeline. Golf, hiking, fishing—none could be
neglected.
“Miguel, can I prepare dinner?”
“Hyun?”
“We’ve got fresh dinner ingredients now.”
The basket was full of big catches caught throughout the afternoon,
enough to feed the dozen members.
“Hyun, are you sure?”
“I really wanted to treat the members to a meal at least once. I

can’t miss this opportunity, can I? It’s a pity that not all the
members are here.”
I answered Miguel’s question while handling the fish. Seeing how

skillfully I was handling the fish with a small knife, Miguel
seemed to be relieved.
Just then, Alberto passed by, jokingly saying, “We won’t starve,
will we?”
‘Just wait and see.’
At that moment, the essence of Korean spicy fish stew unfolded at

my fingertips.
The reddish color and spicy aroma stimulated the appetite. It would
have been perfect with a shot of soju, but I settled for orange
juice to calm my excited mood.
“Hyun, what is this dish?”
“It’s Maeuntang (spicy fish stew).”
“Really? Whatever it’s called, it’s amazing!”
Alberto, who had been skeptical, now exclaimed in admiration,

moving his spoon continuously. The other members were the same. It
might have been because they were hungry, but the Maeuntang was
undeniably delicious.
I was grateful to the members. Through continuous practice, I

realized anew. They were professionals and incredibly skilled.
Their hands were full of calluses from their extensive experience.
“Everyone, thank you for accepting me.”
At my unexpected confession, the members, starting with Alberto,

burst into laughter.
“Hyun, sometimes you seem like a student of your age, but on days
like today, you seem like my peer. We accepted you not for any
other reason. Your skill convinced us.”
Alberto said it casually, but I knew how much effort they put into
accepting me.
For example, a young kid, whose forehead hadn’t even dried, stepped
up to conduct them. No matter how important skill was in this
world, experience and years also mattered.
Then Alberto put his hand on my shoulder and said.
“Hyun, there’s only one thing you can do to repay us.”
At that moment, the members who were eating Maeuntang all focused
their attention. Moreover, Alberto’s usual playful eyes had a
serious look. It wasn’t a bad atmosphere.
“Show us an amazing conduct until the end!”
When I nodded significantly, a big fish jumped towards the sky from
the freshwater.
Leaving a huge ripple on the calm surface, a big tremor remained in

my heart.
“Kang, you wrote the practicalization plan report for the Graphene
project very well. Your reports always clearly show the context and
main points. It’s as if the report speaks.”
Chairman Yoo praised Kang at the breakfast table. It was no wonder,

as there had been a string of good news regarding new material
development.
Kang’s skills were extraordinary. It was hard to believe he had

once run a simple laundry shop.
“Son asked for another 2-on-2 golf match again. He must have taken
lessons from a famous golfer. His confidence is so high it hurts my
ears. Are you ready to knock down Son’s pride, Kang?”
“Leave it to me, father-in-law!”
Although Chairman Yoo was usually a man of few words at the dining
table, he enjoyed conversations with Kang.
It was as if they were in perfect harmony. It was hard to believe

that he had once pushed Kang away.
Meanwhile, Kang Hyun’s mother watched the scene with a satisfied

smile. It was what she had always wished for.
“Kang, has my second son been visiting you lately?”
“No, after you scolded him last time, he hasn’t come around.”
“Good. If he shows up at the company again, break his forehead for

me. You’re older than him anyway.”
In the company, there were few people Chairman Yoo could trust
completely.
That’s how business always was. You had to always be cautious and
read the other person’s true intentions. There were only a few
people he considered his own, and Kang was one of them.
“By the way, when is our Hyun coming back? Hyunja, what did he say
on the phone yesterday?”
“He seems to have a lot to learn in Germany. He said he had to

practice, so we didn’t talk long. But I told him to call Grandpa
when he has time.”
“That rascal. He really knows how to make people anxious.”
Then the housekeeper hurriedly entered the kitchen.

“Sir, please look at this!”
The housekeeper urgently handed the morning newspaper to Chairman

Yoo.
How much time had passed? Chairman Yoo’s wrinkled eyes widened. The
reason was simple. The face of the grandson he missed so much was
on the front page of the newspaper. Moreover, the large headline
immediately caught his eye.
-Violinist Hyun performs with the Berlin Philharmonic!
“As expected.”
Adam leaned forward with anticipation.
“Violinist Hyun, huh.”
It was an unexpected name mentioned by the lion of Berlin. The

person he had longed to see was now collaborating with the Berlin
Philharmonic.
As the first part of the Maestro’s performance ended and the second
part was about to begin.
“I can’t see him?”
No matter how much he searched, Violinist Hyun was nowhere to be

seen.
Then a boy in a dark tailcoat appeared on stage. The audience

started to murmur, and Adam leaned forward, his eyes wide open.
Why? Because the boy held an old baton in his hand.
What on earth was going on?
Kang Hyun bowed politely to the audience and then looked at the
members.
In contrast to the murmuring and confused audience, the members’

gazes were calm. Like the gentle ripples on a quiet lake, there was
no disturbance.
It was proof of their trust in Kang Hyun.
Someone had once said, you shouldn’t sweat when conducting. It’s
not you who should be heated up, but the audience.
Kang Hyun thought the saying was an excellent expression.

As he took a shallow breath, he felt as if his shoulder, passing

through his elbow to the tip of the baton, became one.
Tchaikovsky’s Symphony No. 6, Pathétique.
It was a sonata form with an adagio 4/4 introduction. Kang Hyun’s

baton and left hand began to move slowly as if soothing a baby.
As the deep tones of the contrabass resonated, the murmuring

audience focused their attention as if by magic.
Like the sun gazing at the vast ocean, Kang Hyun scanned each
member without missing a single one.
Every time the tip of the baton moved with the flow of the melody,
the gloomy and unsettling motifs of Pathétique were vividly brought
to life.
The woodwinds’ melody rose like waves, subsiding at the tip of the
baton, and the brass filled the void fiercely with a roar.
The strings softly embraced everything, giving the illusion that

magic was unfolding from Kang Hyun’s fingertips.
Gulp—
Adam couldn’t speak. The Berlin Philharmonic members were moving

under the boy’s fingertips. Moreover, what was this melody and
flow?
The eerie bass and explosive anxiety perfectly captured the essence
of Tchaikovsky’s Pathétique.
His sharp gaze penetrated between the members without hesitation,

and the tip of the baton showed no sign of doubt. It was then.
Thud, thud, thud—
With the rising resonance of the trumpets, the motif reached its
climax.
The hem of the dark tailcoat fluttered violently with the melody.
The small boy’s shoulders moved ceaselessly, and the grand
instrument followed his command.
In the fast rhythm of the scherzo, the timpani and cymbals’

powerful strikes, like an erupting volcano, marked the peak.
The audience held their breath as the motif unfolded. Their entire
bodies felt drenched in sweat.
At that moment, Kang Hyun’s fingertips slowly pointed towards the

members. It was a continuation of the melody that perfectly
expressed the title of Pathétique. The audience, as well as the
members, had tension written on their faces.
It was as if they were drawing the last note of Tchaikovsky’s life.

In the sorrowful motif that felt like a sad dream, the pizzicato of
the strings left a deep resonance.
At the end of that intense emotion, the audience shuddered. And

they saw it. The world unfolding from the fingertips of the young
maestro.
Chapter 131
ZLOOD
2024-07-02
“Conducting—!”
Unfortunately, the person on the other end of the line didn’t

understand.
 Adam, that doesn’t make sense. How could Hyun, a violinist,

be a conductor?
Of course, it didn’t make sense. Even Adam himself had expected

Hyun to take the stage as a violinist. He was just as shocked when
Hyun ascended the stage with an old baton.
 Adam, explain in detail. It’s already amazing that you met

Hyun at the Berlin Philharmonic, but him taking the stage as
a conductor? What on earth are you talking about?
Sharon urged him, unable to contain her curiosity. It was

understandable since she was also an ardent fan of Hyun.
It was only natural. Despite being the cold-hearted editor known as

the “Devil of Gramophone,” she couldn’t help but become a mere
audience member in front of Hyun’s melody. But to explain it in
detail…
“He wore a dark tailcoat. The end of the baton was faded and its
shell peeling, old and worn, yet it shone like a finely crafted
masterpiece.”
The concert hall was completely still. However, the image of the
tailcoat fluttering with the melody and the baton cutting through
the air fiercely was etched in his mind. And what about the
conducting?
Gulp—!
Just thinking back on it made Adam’s throat bob. It was as if a

wave of emotions surged through his chest.
The musicians played Tchaikovsky’s final moments as if they fully

understood the word “Pathetique.” Amidst the melancholy romance,
Adam felt an outpour of passion that made him break into a cold
sweat, as if he had been drenched by a heavy downpour.
Even now, holding the receiver, Adam’s palm was soaked with sweat.
“To exaggerate a bit, it was a stage where you wouldn’t think of

the Lion of Berlin.”
 What?
“It felt as if Hyun had been conducting for the Berlin Philharmonic
for a long time, altering its very identity.”
The identity of the century-old symphony orchestra was changed by

the fingertips of a young boy.
During the final movement of Pathetique, countless audience members

shed tears. At the peak of intense emotions that pierced through
the theme, everyone was left speechless. The lingering effect was
so profound that they couldn’t even muster applause easily. The
melody of Pathetique captured the audience even after the baton was
lowered.
 Adam, is everything you just said true?
Didn’t he touch the hearts of the audience in a completely

different way from the Lion of Berlin? The audience shivered and
cheered from the young maestro’s fingertips. They were ensnared by
his melody as if caught in a spider’s web.
As time passed, the memory didn’t fade but rather sharpened, with
the tip of the baton continually coming to mind. Just like the
legendary maestro who once heated up Berlin.
“The return of the young maestro.”
The headline for the scoop was decided at that moment.
“How was your first conducting?”
He was standing alone on the empty stage when Maestro Yuri slowly
approached.
Even without the tailcoat or baton in hand, his mere presence made
the concert hall seem to resonate and shiver.
“I am extremely grateful that you gave me this opportunity,

Maestro. I still can’t shake off the lingering sensation. It feels
like the concert hall is holding onto my heart.”
“When I first conducted the orchestra in Saxony, my mind was a

blank slate. I was so nervous that I couldn’t remember how I
conducted. Compared to that, you moved the audience. With your own
style of conducting, no less.”
“Maestro, your praise is too much.”
How could he explain the blush that spread across his face? It was
just a single conduct, but it was more precious than any experience
he had ever had.
It was like playing the violin for the first time, with the melody
wrapping around his entire body, the gaze of the audience and the
sight of the orchestra constantly replaying in his mind. Even
though he had put down the baton, his fingertips still burned with
excitement.
“The tip of the baton must embody the emotions and decisiveness
needed to lead numerous musicians. In that regard, Hyun, you are
naturally gifted. Look at those empty seats.”
There were thousands of seats. Just moments ago, they had been
filled with countless audience members. Their heat and gazes were
still vivid in his mind.
“Do you know why it took so long for the standing ovation to erupt
after the final movement of Pathetique ended?”
“Honestly, I was too overwhelmed to notice the delay in applause.

My heart felt like it was about to explode.”
“Really? To me, it seemed like you were catching your breath,

observing everything calmly after finishing. You were that
impressive. You embodied Tchaikovsky’s Pathetique so clearly that
the audience couldn’t shake off the lingering sensation easily.”
His wrinkled eyes were full of deep emotions. Hyun felt the same.
His heart still hadn’t stopped trembling. It felt as if the end of
his tailcoat was subtly shaking.
“Today, it wasn’t me who moved and touched the audience on stage;

it was you, Hyun.”
“Thank you, Maestro.”
“What do you want to do next?”
It was a question he couldn’t easily answer. Choosing between the

violin and conducting was an absurdity for him. However,
“One thing is certain.”
“Certain?”
“I want to make music, even if it’s just for a single audience

member.”
It was an aspiration different from the past. Hadn’t he felt the

waves of emotion sent by the audience?
It was a profound sensation incomparable to anything else. If he

could move just one audience member with his melody, what else
would matter?
Maestro Yuri finally gave a faint smile.
At that moment.
“Hyun—!”
The orchestra members began to come up onto the stage. Despite the
grueling performance, smiles didn’t seem to leave their faces. And
then, a cake unexpectedly appeared among them.
“It’s your last day in Berlin; we can’t just let you go.”
“Why the sudden cake?”
“It’s your birthday today, your first birthday as a conductor.”
Although he had conducted students at his graduation, why shatter

the sentiment now? Alberto was already lighting the candles. Unless
he blew them out, no one would stop. As he approached the cake,
someone asked him,
“Hyun, how was your experience in Berlin?”
“It was the best days I’ll never forget.”
It wasn’t an exaggeration. When he left London, he never expected

to have such an experience.
As the wind blew out the candles on the cake, Maestro Yuri’s cheeks
twitched.
“Mother, what’s all this?”
It was a twelve-dish banquet that even a king would envy. Since he

had been away for a month, his mother and the housekeeper had
teamed up and rolled up their sleeves to prepare this feast. Anyone
would think he was on leave from the military.
“Thanks to Hyun, Grandpa is living in luxury.”
“Grandpa, don’t eat too much meat. It’s not good for you.”
“Of course, who do you think you’re talking to?”
Grandpa was not just healthy but brimming with energy. How
delighted he was to see his grandson after so long, if he had known
this, he wouldn’t have spent his past life so futilely.
Even knowing it was pointless to regret, he couldn’t help but think

this way from time to time.
“Hyun, now that you’re back, I want you to visit China when you
have time.”
“Grandpa, China?”
“Don’t pretend you don’t know. Did you think I didn’t know you
wrote to Deng Xiaoping every time?”
Nice—!
They say sincerity moves heaven. The gifts and letters he sent
annually to Deng Zheng and Deng Xiaoping finally bore fruit.
The Chinese are not easily open-hearted to outsiders. Although he

could have established connections with grand gifts, his sincere,
time-consuming gifts must have built strong trust.
“Grandpa, have this.”
He carefully wrapped some food and handed it to his grandpa. After

all, one should cherish moments when they can.
Grandpa cheerfully accepted the food, and his mother looked on

fondly.
“Hyun, go to the company with Grandpa today.”
“To Dongju?”
“Yes, Secretary Kim and the employees want to see you after a long
time. Besides, there’s something I want to show you.”
Something to show me? What could it be?
“We have arrived, Chairman.”
At the chauffeur Mr. Kim’s words, he stepped out of the car to find
the executives already waiting. They were all familiar faces. And
at the forefront stood his uncle.
“Chairman, let me escort you.”
Without responding, Grandpa moved forward.
Since morning, Grandpa had dressed in work clothes and was touring
the factory. The executives followed closely behind.
Though Grandpa was over seventy, he sometimes personally supervised

the site. He always told Hyun that a manager’s role is to keep the
business site on its toes.
“Father, the path ahead is rough. Let me lead the way.”
What a sight, his uncle was clearing stones out of the way with his
boot as if they were walking on an unpaved road.
Everyone there knew that this exaggerated display was because of

Hyun and his father. Grandpa nodded and continued to walk, unfazed.
At that moment,
“Hyun, that’s where the new material factory related to graphene

will be built.”
It was the place that would change the future of Dongju. A flood of
emotions washed over him.
In the past life, Dongju had been absorbed by foreign capital and
fragmented. He wanted to drive his uncle away from this place, but
what could he do? Only he knew of the past where Dongju disappeared
into history.
Looking at the site for the new material factory, his grandfather
and father had a mix of excitement and anticipation in their eyes.
Dongju would be reborn there.
“Now, let’s head to Dr. Tikhonov’s lab.”
Dr. Tikhonov’s lab was not far away.
After walking for about ten minutes, they saw Dr. Tikhonov arguing
with someone in front of the lab.
“Just let me in—!”
Oh no, even from a distance, he could tell who it was by the voice.
It was his uncle who had his forehead split open twice before. At
the sight of Grandpa approaching, his uncle stopped yelling and
widened his eyes.
“Beomkyung, what brings you here this morning?”
“Ah, Father. It’s just that I had some business at the new material
lab.”
“So, what business—!”
Grandpa’s sharp voice made his uncle look like he might cry.
Surely, his uncle wasn’t there for any good reason. It was likely
he intended to steal confidential documents, just like in the past.
In hindsight, it seemed better to send his uncle to an uninhabited

island in the South Pacific rather than Tsushima.
“Father, aren’t you showing favoritism?”
“Favoritism?”
“Yes. You favor Hyun and his father too much. After all, aren’t I
and my brother your real blood? We’re your children.”
Who would believe that this fool was over forty? His words sounded
like the grumbling of a middle schooler. He felt like hitting his
uncle’s head with all his might. Wasn’t he just like Yoo Jinseok?
At that moment,
“You rascal—!”
Grandpa stepped forward and raised his hand high. Grandpa rarely
struck anyone, so it was evident how furious he was.
His uncle, scared, instinctively covered his forehead with both

hands.
Thud—!
They saw Grandpa collapse.
“Grandpa!”
Chapter 132
ZLOOD
2024-07-02
-What kind of nerve did Hyunja have to come here?
-I never had a sibling like that.
-They say that’s Hyunja’s son.
These were the words I heard when I attended my grandfather’s

funeral in my past life. I was nineteen when I first learned of my
grandfather’s existence. The looks from my cousins when I first met
them were far from welcoming. They openly displayed their
displeasure as if they were dealing with an uninvited guest.
-Hey, don’t get in the way.
This was my first encounter with Yoo Jinseok. I wanted to smack him
on the head right then and there, but what could I do? At the time,
I was a nineteen-year-old high school student with nothing to my
name.
However, my mother cried as if the world had ended. She shed such
sorrowful tears for her cold-hearted father, who hadn’t contacted
her once since marrying my father, that it broke my heart as well.
But seeing her like that made my uncles and aunts visibly
uncomfortable. They probably threatened her, worried that she might
be interested in my grandfather’s inheritance.
-Hyunja, I hope this is the last time I see you. Don’t cause any
more trouble on your father’s final journey.
Oh, please. If anyone saw, they would think he made a noble

decision for the country. My eldest uncle’s voice and eyes were
filled with greed.
I silently stared at my grandfather’s portrait. The elderly man in

the photo had piercing eyes. His charisma seemed ready to burst out
of the picture at any moment.
‘He did succeed.’
I remember there were famous politicians and businessmen among the

mourners. It seemed my grandfather’s social status was higher than
I thought.
Even in the endless stream of mourners, my grandfather’s portrait

caught my eye.
‘Why are you staring so intently? He’s already gone.’
I did not grieve my grandfather’s death in my past life. He was a

grandfather I had never even seen. Instead, it motivated me to
succeed.
The stark contrast between my wealthy uncles and my mother, whose

hands were calloused and face wrinkled, was striking.
Thirty minutes at the funeral was enough. I had no right to mourn

the death of a grandfather I had never met.
But still.
‘How did you live your life?’
My uncles and aunts talked endlessly about the inheritance even at

the funeral. They seemed to be just putting on a show of receiving
the mourners, with no real respect for the deceased.
It was clear my grandfather had utterly failed in raising his

children.
“In the chairman’s case, it is essential hypertension, so it often

occurs suddenly without any symptoms. It would be best to take
plenty of rest and then undergo a detailed examination. Chronic

hypertension can lead to orthostatic hypotension or edema, which
can result in myocardial infarction and kidney failure. It’s
fortunate that he is physically strong for his age; otherwise, it
could have been serious.”
Listening to the doctor’s explanation, I looked at my grandfather’s

face as he lay peacefully asleep in the hospital bed.
The piercing eyes were gone, replaced by deep wrinkles and age
spots. A deep needle was inserted into the always strong fist.
It seemed like he might get up at any moment, but my grandfather

did not easily open his eyes.
“Aunt, can you give me some ice water?”
My aunt immediately ordered the housekeeper to get it, as if she

had no hands or feet herself.
The mansion in Ichon-dong was now filled with my uncles and aunts.
They had jumped in as soon as my grandfather fell ill, seeing it as
an opportunity.
“Oppas, what are you going to do now?”
“I mean, father suddenly collapsed, and there’s no guarantee it

won’t happen again. We need to prepare as much as possible.”
Oh, what a filial daughter. Such a level of unfilial behavior was

unprecedented.
But my uncles also had worried looks on their faces. The image of
the three siblings I saw at the funeral in my past life overlapped
in my mind.
“I just need to expand our hospital.”
“What?”
“I mean, oppas are going to divide the company anyway. Does it make
sense that I get nothing?”
If my grandfather had been healthy, my aunt’s forehead would not

have remained intact.
My uncle-in-law was watching the situation with an awkward

expression. He probably thought he could just watch and eat the
rice cakes. A doctor with no skills but full of greed.
‘Tsk.’
The absurd thing was that my uncles were taking my aunt’s words
seriously.
No wonder, my younger uncle had confidently entered the mansion in

Ichon-dong despite being the reason my grandfather collapsed.
I felt like grabbing a spatula from the kitchen and hitting

everyone’s heads.
“Jinseok, take your cousins upstairs. This is a place for adults to

talk.”
It seemed they finally remembered the young nephews and nieces. Yoo
Jinseok, the eldest of the cousins, led the children upstairs. I
was among them.
“Close the door.”
Yoo Jinseok was sweating nervously, glancing at me. The other

cousins were the same. No one dared to speak loudly.
I sat in a chair in the corner of the room, deep in thought.
“Jinseok hyung.”
“Uh, yeah.”
“Why is aunt like that?”
Yoo Jinseok, like a mute who had eaten honey, couldn’t answer. It
was quite different from the way he had dominated the cousins
before I arrived.
Well, what fault does this little kid have? There’s a saying that
the clean water upstream makes the downstream clean. But still.
‘Damn it—!’
As soon as my grandfather left for a moment, my uncles and aunts

revealed their true colors.
They were probably happily imagining their future, with Dongju as

the tempting prey right in front of them.
“Jinseok hyung, come here.”
I beckoned Yoo Jinseok with my finger. Yoo Jinseok seemed to

shrink, probably remembering the time I hit him before. How could
someone with such a small heart go around scamming people later?
In a way, he was helpful to me. Yoo Jinseok was a good spy to

monitor my aunt’s movements.
What if he lies? Oh, please. I wouldn’t believe Jinseok’s words at

face value anyway.
If he lied, I’d just punch him in the stomach again.
“Jinseok, let me ask you something.”
Yoo Jinseok gulped and tensed up at that moment.
Crash—!
A loud noise and shouting came from outside. I jumped up and rushed
out the door.
Heading to the living room, I saw an unexpected sight. My father

was grabbing my younger uncle by the collar, glaring at him.
“What are you doing while your father-in-law is lying down—!”
My father’s booming voice echoed through the mansion in Ichon-dong.
“Chairman Yoo collapsed?”
Chairman Wang’s face was filled with worry. It was only natural, as
his close friend had suddenly collapsed, making his heart sink.
After hearing the details from Secretary Kim, Chairman Wang nodded.
“Should we hurry and prepare, sir?”
“No, there’s no point in seeing a confused Chairman Yoo now. But

collapsing due to high blood pressure…”
Chairman Yoo had recently brought wild ginseng for him. He had been
so busy caring for his friend’s health that he neglected his own.
Moreover, Chairman Yoo’s household had its own significant worries,

just like his third son.
Just then, as Son Ilseon entered the reception room and heard the
news, his eyes widened.
“Father, did Chairman Yoo collapse?”
“Yes, he collapsed due to high blood pressure.”
“He was quite healthy, wasn’t he?”
Life is full of ups and downs. At his old age, it wouldn’t be

surprising if he fell in the wind.
Fortunately, it wasn’t a severe illness. With some rest and

recuperation, he could recover. But still.
“Dongju is now at a critical point of raising his strength.”

“Didn’t Chairman Yoo say he was expanding the new materials

factory?”
“Yes, the timing is quite unfortunate. Chairman Yoo himself should

be leading the business expansion, but now he’s bedridden.”
The heart of Dongju was absent. There would undoubtedly be moves to

take advantage of that vacant position.
Such was the way of business. It was a world of survival of the

fittest, where if you showed weakness, you would be eaten.
Blood relations made no difference. In fact, being of the same

blood would make them even more brazen in pushing their faces
forward.
“Ilseon, how do you think things will unfold in Dongju now?”
“Chairman Yoo’s children will probably try to take part in the

business. This is a golden opportunity for them to solidify their
positions. Especially the second son, who will jump at it with his
eyes wide open.”
“Yes, this will be a significant crisis for Dongju.”
Anyone would think Chairman Yoo and he were not on good terms. But
that wasn’t it. Chairman Wang had a completely different scenario
in mind.
“But, for someone, it will be a test.”
I was already curious how Kang Hyun would overcome this crisis.
It was the first time I had seen my father so angry. In my past

life, I had only seen him as a taciturn head of the household.
When he worked at Dongju Chemical instead of the laundromat, my

father, as my grandfather said, had a personality similar to a
scholar. He suited being a researcher more than a businessman.
But who would have thought he had such a beastly side hidden?
My younger uncle was lifted off the ground by my father’s grip on

his collar. My eldest uncle and aunt were stunned into silence,
like mutes who had eaten honey.
My younger uncle, caught like a fish, had to listen to my father’s

stern words.
“Mother, was father always this bold?”
“Your father is always kind and gentle, rarely gets angry, but he
knows right from wrong. Didn’t I tell you how I met your father?”
“How did you meet?”
Didn’t she say my father saved her from a group of thugs?
It was during the military regime of the Yushin era, but there were
always gangsters around. Because of that, my father had to stay in
the hospital for a while.
“When your father regained consciousness in the hospital, do you

know what he said to me?”
“What did he say?”
“With a very serious face, he said, ‘I just did what I had to do.’
But he looked very worried. Turns out, he was more concerned about
the hospital bill than his injuries. Even in that situation, he
kindly asked if I was hurt.”
No wonder my mother, a rich family’s youngest daughter, fell for my

father.
Today’s incident definitely relieved some of my pent-up

frustration. If my grandfather were in his right mind, he would
have applauded my father’s actions today.
But this is not enough. My uncles and aunt are still eyeing Dongju
with sharp eyes.
I have no doubt they will argue over the inheritance at the

funeral.
There was no time to hesitate. I had to consider the possibility

that my grandfather would remain bedridden for a long time.
Reflecting on memories from my past life, there were various

methods. How long had I lived handling the secrets of the Jaeil
Group? I had closely observed how the rich protected their assets.
But executing them with this small body was too much. Moreover, I
was still a minor legally.
“Driver Kim, please take me to Pyeongchang-dong.”
At times like this, I had to prevent ignorant and greedy people

from swarming.
I had resolved to abandon greed and ambition in this life, but the
world wouldn’t leave me alone. If so, I would devour them without
hesitation.
Chapter 133
ZLOOD
2024-07-02
“Oppa, are you really just going to sit there?”
Isn’t that a voice resembling a fierce cat?
“No, Hyunja, you too. If your husband is such a jerk, you should at
least pretend to stop him. His eyes were no joke. If left alone, he
might really hit our little oppa.”
“Bokja is right. Hyung, how dare a mere small-town laundry owner

come in and disrupt our family—!”
“Oh, it’s so hot. Ma’am, please bring some ice water quickly!”
The younger uncle, who had been grabbed by the collar by Kang
Hyun’s father, was panting with a red face. The housemaid hurriedly
brought a glass filled with ice water.
The house was filled with extravagant decorations, starkly

contrasting the old-fashioned mansion in Ichon-dong with its
lavishness.
This was none other than the house of the eldest, Yoo Beomjin.
“Father isn’t going to get up from his bed anytime soon, right?”
“The doctor says he might have to stay bedridden for quite a

while.”
“Well, I hope Father gets up soon, but I’m worried he might side
with Hyunja’s family as soon as he recovers. Just imagine if he
lets Kang take over Dongju.”
Eldest Yoo Beomjin’s eyebrows shot up. It was no different for

second Yoo Beomkyung. They had never thought that the management
rights of Dongju would go to anyone other than themselves.
The three siblings had little interest in their father’s illness.

Instead, they thought now was the perfect time.
“I’ve already said that all we need to do is expand our hospital,

but you, oppas, aren’t the same. Especially you, big oppa, weren’t
you planning to lead Dongju in the future? If things continue like
this, it’ll be completely taken over by that fox.”
“That’s harsh. But do you really think Father would easily give
Dongju to Kang? It’s something he’s built his whole life; of
course, he’d entrust it to his own blood. Everyone in the company
knows how well Hyung has led Dongju so far.”
“Ma’am, I’d like whiskey instead of ice water.”
First Yoo Beomjin soothed his burning throat with whiskey. Although
the three siblings shared the same goal of not losing Dongju, their
visions for the future were different. It could be said they had
different dreams in the same bed.
“Hyung, Father wouldn’t really give Dongju to Kang, would he?”
“Do you think he would give Dongju to a dimwit like him? Business
isn’t something you can do on the spur of the moment. If you
entrust it to someone without guts, it’s easy to lose everything
overnight.”
“Then what about Kang Hyun? I can’t imagine Father would go that
far, but…”
What?
The face of his nephew Kang Hyun flashed in Yoo Beomjin’s mind. He
was undoubtedly the most cherished among the grandchildren.
Actually, if you think about it, Father seemed to like Kang Hyun
more than the three siblings.
But Yoo Beomjin soon shook his head nervously.
“What can that little brat possibly do—!”
In my past life, it was challenging to even visit the grand mansion

in Pyeongchang-dong. At the end of the long garden path, surrounded
by red walls reminiscent of a fortress, stood the mansion that
would later be known as the holy ground of the Jeil Group.
Chairman Wang, who was trimming the garden trees with pruning
shears, greeted me as if he had been expecting my arrival.
“Did your uncles visit Ichon-dong this morning?”
“Yes, Grandfather.”
“I was worried about Chairman Yoo and thought of stopping by early,

but I didn’t want to interfere in family matters. So, what brings
you here, Hyun?”
This sly old man. He knew everything that happened in Ichon-dong as

if he had it in the palm of his hand. He probably also knew why I
came to Pyeongchang-dong. His eyes had a peculiar glint of
mischief.
“I came to ask for your help, Chairman.”
“Help? Hmm, let’s discuss it in the parlor. I just received some

good tea leaves yesterday.”
Chairman Wang seemed more pleased with the word “Chairman” than
“help” coming from my mouth.
The parlor was filled with a lingering scent.
“Tell me, Hyun, what is it you want to ask?”

“I want to protect Dongju.”
“Protect Dongju? Is someone trying to take it away?”
Of course, if Dongju fell into the hands of my eldest and second

uncles, it would be as good as lost.
It was clear as day that it would be divided and absorbed by

foreign capital, just like in my past life.
Can’t I do it myself, you ask? No, I’m still legally a minor.
“I need a pawn.”
“A pawn?”
“Someone to act on my behalf.”
Just like Liu Bei had the great generals Guan Yu and Zhang Fei, I
needed a capable general to act as my hands and feet until I became
an adult.
Chairman Wang leaned forward with interest at the mention of

“pawn.”
“You haven’t forgotten our promise, have you?”
“You’re referring to the promise that if I recover all of Dongju’s

shares within two years, you’d give me a gift?”
“Yes, but if you achieve it with my help, that would be cheating.”
Such a stingy old man.
“I will pay for borrowing the pawn. So, it’s not cheating.”
“Do you have someone in mind for the pawn?”
“Yes, I do.”
Chairman Wang looked surprised when I answered without hesitation.
From the moment I decided to protect Dongju, I knew I needed a pawn

to act for me since I was a minor.
Of course, if Grandfather were in good health, I wouldn’t need a

pawn, but that’s not the case now.
I sipped my tea and spoke directly.
“I want to use Director Kim Sang-guk from the Strategy Planning

Office.”
“Director Kim?”
“Yes, Chairman.”
Chairman Wang’s face showed clear signs of contemplation. It was

understandable since Kim Sang-guk was the head of the Strategy
Planning Office.
The Strategy Planning Office, the brain of the Jeil Group.
In other words, I had chosen a big shot right from the start.
Chairman Wang probably never imagined I would want to use Kim Sang-
guk as my pawn.
“Do you know what kind of person Director Kim is?”
“Yes, I do.”
“Do you really know? Even if I approve, Director Kim might refuse.
He wouldn’t want to waste his time on something unproductive.”
Chairman Wang knew I had interned at the Strategy Planning Office.

In fact, he had actively supported it. But he probably thought it
was impossible to thoroughly understand Kim Sang-guk in such a
short time.
“Do you still want to use Director Kim as your pawn?”
But Chairman Wang overlooked something. In my past life, I had

meticulously studied Kim Sang-guk.
Preparing to become a member of the National Assembly involved

understanding the personalities of the Blue House officials.
Naturally, I had to have a thorough understanding of Prime Minister

Kim Sang-guk. Why did I want to use Kim Sang-guk?
Because his nickname was “Bulldozer.” No wonder he was more popular

than the president.
“Pawn?”
Kim Sang-guk’s face was full of bewilderment. Even as he tied his

necktie, he still couldn’t understand.
Early in the morning, Chairman Wang had personally contacted him,

saying someone wanted to hire him.
At first, he thought he was being discarded. How many years had he

lived as a Jeil Group scholar? He had finally become the head of
the Strategy Planning Office through hard work, only to be told he
was being transferred elsewhere.
-Director Kim, it’s not a demotion, so don’t worry. You know I like
you more than anyone else, right? If you don’t like the offer, you
can refuse. It will be an interesting position.
He couldn’t read Chairman Wang’s intentions. If it wasn’t a

demotion, why was he being sent elsewhere? Knowing Chairman Wang,
he wouldn’t give up his assets easily.
Kim Sang-guk shook off his thoughts and finished tying his necktie.
Whatever it was, he would find out once he went to the meeting
place.
“I have a reservation under the name Kim Sang-guk.”
The manager of the high-end establishment skillfully guided Kim

Sang-guk. He had visited this place a few times with Chairman Wang.
Who could be waiting for him?
“Kang Hyun?”
The person he met at the high-end establishment in Cheongdam-dong

seemed out of place.
At first, he thought he had entered the wrong room. But Kang Hyun
stood up and greeted him as if he had been waiting.
“Welcome, Director Kim. The red sea bream here is excellent.”
“What?”
“The food just came out, so let’s talk while we eat.”
Kim Sang-guk sat down, feeling almost mesmerized, facing Kang Hyun.
Kang Hyun seemed very comfortable, as if he had been here many
times before.
After some time, Kim Sang-guk, who had been eating red sea bream
dipped in soy sauce, finally put down his chopsticks. The reason
was simple. No one else had shown up.
“Are you the one who wants to hire me, Hyun?”
“Yes, Director.”
“Huh.”
He was beyond astonished. But as soon as he met Kang Hyun’s eyes,

he erased his sigh.
Because his eyes were so serious. He knew firsthand that Hyun was a
very capable child. He had seen Hyun’s skills with his own eyes.
“Alright, let’s hear it. Why do you want to hire me?”
“Because I’m a minor.”

“Is that the only reason?”
Hyun didn’t elaborate further. He wore a mysterious smile as if he

wouldn’t reveal more until the contract was signed.
Kim Sang-guk felt his heart race, just as it did when he had a one-
on-one with Chairman Wang.
“The contract period is two years. The detailed job description

will be provided upon signing the contract. Please review this
contract first.”
“Contract?”
Kim Sang-guk took the document Hyun handed him. It was a

professionally prepared contract, as if it had been meticulously
reviewed by a legal team.
But Hyun showed no reaction and continued eating the red sea bream.
He was as relaxed as a seasoned veteran who had been through this
countless times. It felt as if their roles were reversed in terms
of experience and age.
“Hyun, do you think I’ll leave my current position to join you?”
“You won’t be able to resist.”
“What?”
Hyun put down his chopsticks with a clink and spoke.
“Director Kim, you have ambition.”
“Ambition?”
“Yes, if I’m not mistaken, you could easily discard the title of
Jeil Group scholar when the time comes. Most people don’t even know
you are a scholar. You wouldn’t be satisfied with just being a
subsidiary president, would you?”
Kim Sang-guk couldn’t hide his surprise. How did Hyun know such
things?
On the other hand, he was intrigued. What gave Hyun the confidence
to make such bold claims?
He knew Chairman Wang had shown a special interest in Hyun. He was

undoubtedly destined to become a great figure in the future.
“Are you saying you can fulfill my ambitions better than Chairman
Son?”
Hyun simply smiled. Kim Sang-guk suppressed a hollow laugh.

Was the smile on this young boy’s face born from immense
confidence? Or was it just childish thinking?
However, no matter how much he thought about it, the young boy’s
eyes were anything but childish.
“Then let me ask you one thing. What’s the first thing you will
do?”
They say you can tell a lot from one thing. He was curious about
Hyun’s plans for using him as a pawn.
“The war has already begun.”
“War?”
“Yes, a war without the smell of gunpowder. To survive.”
At that moment, Hyun’s eyes gleamed sharply.
“First, we need to gather money.”
Chapter 134
ZLOOD
2024-07-02
“Your favorite musician, huh?”
The voice was full of curiosity.
“It’s definitely the violinist Hyun, who gave me the most help and
inspiration during the filming of this movie.”
In Jean-Pierre’s mind, the image of a young boy appeared. Though he

was small in stature, the melody that flowed from his hands made
listeners’ hearts race, just like Paganini did in the past.
The journalist licked his dry lips.
“Director Jean-Pierre, your latest film ‘Paganini’ has been getting

a lot of buzz even before its release. However, critics are saying
it won’t surpass your previous film, ‘La Vie en Rose,’ as a musical
film. What do you think about that?”
“How can I rank my own works? But I can say that I have certainly
grown compared to my past self while filming ‘Paganini.’ And I’m
confident this film will achieve commercial success.”
Jean-Pierre’s eyes were brimming with confidence. The journalist

swallowed hard, noticing the director’s unusual demeanor.
“Director, does that mean you are confident about this film?”
“To be precise, each performance scene felt as if Paganini had come

back to life. The melodies that once echoed through Italy and
Germany resounded again. I was so captivated by the edited footage
that I lost myself.”
“Is it really to that extent?”
What kind of visual and sound quality made Jean-Pierre so

confident?
Journalists typically need to extract exaggerated statements to

make headlines, but that wasn’t necessary this time. Even if he
just reported Jean-Pierre’s words as they were, it would be
sufficient.
But to say that Paganini has come back to life—if this isn’t
arrogance, what is?
Then it happened.
“If you’re curious about Paganini, there are two videos you should
watch.”
“Two videos?”
“The first is the movie ‘Paganini’ starring Alessandro. The

second…”
Jean-Pierre added with a mysterious smile.
“…is the making film starring the violinist Hyun.”
“Again!”
At the command, Baek Junghoon’s fingers moved. His long fingers

began to dance once more over the black and white keys.
The legato technique, which ensures the smooth flow of pedal

pressure and melodies, was keenly listened to by Kang Hyun, whose
ears were as meticulous as a microscope.
“Again!”
Whenever a misinterpretation of the score occurred, the command was

given. Kang Hyun didn’t explain in detail where and how Baek
Junghoon went wrong, as if he wanted him to figure it out on his
own.
Baek Junghoon, known as Korea’s next great master, turned back to

the first page of the score without a word, just as he did when he
first learned to play the piano.
“Again!”
How many times had it been? Kang Hyun raised his voice once more.
To those who didn’t understand music, it might have sounded like a

sequence of soft and rich melodies. However, to Kang Hyun’s ears,
it seemed like dissonance.
Baek Junghoon’s pride could have been hurt, but instead, he

blushed.
The reason was simple. The more he played, the more he understood
what Kang Hyun was aiming for.
“Again!”
Isn’t it presumptuous for a violinist? No, Baek Junghoon knew

better than anyone about Kang Hyun’s piano skills.
At first, he felt a sense of hopelessness, like facing an endless

wall. It must have been similar to Salieri’s feelings of jealousy
and admiration for Mozart.
But now, those fleeting, narrow emotions no longer arose. Instead,

the more he looked at the scores composed by Kang Hyun, the more he
felt something beyond admiration.
“Hyung, let’s take a break.”
“Why?”
“Your fingers won’t hold out much longer. We’ve been at it for
three hours straight.”
Only then did Baek Junghoon realize how much time had passed. His
shoulders and back were already soaked with sweat.
Kang Hyun, sipping orange juice, spoke.
“Hyung, you interpreted the piece I gave you last time quite well,
but this time, it seems like you’re struggling to get a grasp from
the start. When I compose, I try to draw the notes as freely as
possible without being bound by form and standards. But you seem to
give each note too much weight.”
“Too much weight?”
“Other musicians might do the same. They often over-interpret the

scores left by composers who were once called geniuses, but to me,
those scores might have been written down thoughtlessly while they
were in the bathroom. Of course, there’s no way to know the correct
answer unless we bring those long-dead composers back to life and
ask them. Just relax a bit more.”
Baek Junghoon felt as if cold water had been poured over his head.
It was a completely different direction from the values he had felt
while learning to play the piano.
He was shackling the melodies by giving the free-flowing notes too

much weight.
“By the way, Samuel, the concertmaster of the Berlin Philharmonic,

was talking about you, hyung.”
“What?”
“He said he’s most interested in you among Asian pianists. He

mentioned that if the opportunity arises, he would definitely like
to collaborate with you.”
Baek Junghoon felt his heart race. Collaborating with the Berlin
Philharmonic was one of his long-held dreams.
However, instead of excitement, a creeping fear began to rise. He

wondered if he could really do well.
At that moment…
“Why are you so nervous when it’s not even confirmed yet? And if
it’s you, hyung, I believe you can do very well.”
“Now that I think about it, Hyun, you seem more like the older
brother.”
“Then why don’t you call me hyung for once?”
He was such a mature younger brother that it didn’t feel awkward to

call him hyung.
Just as the break ended and they picked up the scores again, Kang
Hyun started marking important parts with a red pen.
“Hyung, I won’t be able to come to the studio for a while.”
“Why?”
It hadn’t been long since he returned to Korea, and now he couldn’t

come to the studio? It didn’t make sense.
The Kang Hyun that Baek Junghoon knew was a workaholic. At times,
it seemed like he was in love with musical notes.
But the answer that followed was unexpected.
“There are some people I need to teach a lesson.”
“The war has already begun?”
The teacup was set down with a sound.

“Yes, Chairman. That’s exactly what he said.”
“A war without the smell of gunpowder. What did you think?”
“It was bold and daring. Perhaps the most accurate way to describe
it.”
Chairman Wang’s wrinkled eyes were filled with a peculiar

expression. Just hearing the story through Kim Sang-guk was
intriguing enough.
Moreover, Kim Sang-guk had an exceptional eye for people.

Otherwise, he wouldn’t be in the position of head of the Strategic
Planning Office.
“Director Kim, tell me more about what you saw and felt.”
“I’ll be honest. At first, I thought you were testing me, Chairman.

I thought the one assigning the task was Kang Hyun. But as we
talked, my thoughts changed. Kang Hyun genuinely wanted to scout
me. And then…”
“And then?”
Kim Sang-guk swallowed hard, whether from tension or thirst.
“He had an extraordinary presence. The words coming from this

ordinary-looking young boy were so bold. When I looked at the
contract, I couldn’t help but be surprised. I don’t know who
prepared it, but it was meticulous and moved so swiftly as if they
had anticipated this situation.”
“And what did he offer you? Equivalent exchange means he would have
to pay you as much as he uses you.”
“He promised to fulfill my ambitions.”
Chairman Wang couldn’t hide his admiration. In life, there are

people you can’t buy with money.
One such person was Kim Sang-guk. A man more ambitious for the
power he would seize in the future rather than immediate monetary
gain.
Kang Hyun had seen through this in a short time.
“Director Kim, what do you want to do now?”
It was Chairman Wang’s question. Kim Sang-guk’s face showed signs

of contemplation.
The position of head of the Strategic Planning Office was hard-

earned after years of effort. The difference between being the
proxy of a high schooler like Kang Hyun and the head of the
Strategic Planning Office was like heaven and earth.
But why? Kang Hyun’s eyes kept appearing in Kim Sang-guk’s mind.
Having made his decision, Kim Sang-guk slowly opened his mouth.
“Oh my, sir.”
Madam Yu Hyeonja, Kang Hyun’s mother, couldn’t hide her surprise at

Chairman Wang’s unexpected visit. Moreover, the secretary behind
Chairman Wang was entering the house with both hands full of golden
bundles.
“Hyeonja, I’m here to see Chairman Yu.”
“Sir, my father is still not well and hasn’t made much progress.”
“It’s alright. I just want to see his face. I’ve brought a lot of
things that are supposed to be good for his energy, so consult with
his doctor and give them to him.”
Yu Hyeonja was grateful to her father’s old friend. He visited

Ichon-dong every day without fail.
It’s during tough times that direct care shows how special a
relationship is. Her only siblings seemed more interested in the
inheritance than in their father’s health, so how could she not be
grateful?
“Father, Chairman Son is here.”
Despite Yu Hyeonja’s voice, Chairman Yu, lying in bed, showed no

reaction. The only solace was that his vital signs were normal.
Chairman Wang, looking at his friend lying there, turned to Yu

Hyeonja.
“Hyeonja, I have something to discuss with Chairman Yu. Could you

leave us for a moment?”
No matter how out of it a patient is, they say the ears are still
open. The doctor also said that constantly talking to the patient
would help.
Fighting back tears, Yu Hyeonja smiled.
“My friend, Yu Chairman. They say your children are making a fuss
because you’re bedridden. Especially your eldest, Beomjin, he’s
leading the charge to harm Mr. Kang. If his shares were firm, he
would have already called for an extraordinary shareholders’
meeting to oust you from the chairman’s seat.”
Chairman Wang continued speaking with his hands behind his back.
“Your second son, Beomgyeong, instead of living in exile in Jeju

Island, is now sticking close to your eldest and trying to take
over Dongju together. And your third, Bokja, what can I say about
her? She’s so eager for leftovers that she pretends to be dead at
her brothers’ words. It seems like we’ve both failed in raising our
children properly.”
There was no response, only the beeping of machines echoing

hollowly over the hospital bed.
“But Hyeonja is doing her best to take care of you. She’s so

filial, unlike my youngest daughter. And Mr. Kang reports to you
about the company every time, doesn’t he?”
Even Chairman Yu, who had no luck with his children, had some
blessings. It was his youngest daughter and her husband, and
especially his grandson, Kang Hyun.
Chairman Wang recounted the story he had heard from Kim Sang-guk
that morning.
“The best thing is that Kang Hyun has started to move. He asked me
for a person to be his strategic piece, and do you know who it is?
It’s none other than Director Kim of the Strategic Planning Office.
No matter how you look at it, that kid’s eye for people is
extraordinary. And his ability to push things forward is so
impressive that Director Kim has already fallen for him. He said he
wants to work with Kang Hyun, even if he doesn’t succeed. The
reason is simple. It’s like that thing, you know? Every man wants
to write his own history.”
Chairman Wang stared intently at the face of his friend lying on

the hospital bed.
“How long are you going to keep lying there?”
“……”
“Old man, there’s no one else here. You can get up now.”
At that moment, Chairman Yu, who had been lying motionless, slowly
opened his eyes.
Chapter 135
ZLOOD
2024-07-02
“-The release timing is not good.
The investors’ evaluation was sharp.
-We are at a point where blockbuster films are flooding the market.
-Of course, I’ve heard that director Philip’s disaster movie will
also be released at the same time.
-No matter how entertaining it is, it’s still a music movie, isn’t
it?
No matter how much of a masterpiece it was, the commercial

viability of music-themed movies was clearly limited at that time.
There were many suggestions to delay the release, just like hiding
from a storm.
However, director Jean-Pierre firmly shook his head.
“It’s not too late to decide after seeing the reactions from
critics and journalists at the preview.”
There was a firm belief in Jean-Pierre’s eyes. Attending the

preview were critics, journalists, and unusually, professors from
Juilliard School of Music.
However, the number of attendees was conspicuously low compared to

other previews.
The reason was simple. Although Jean-Pierre had gained recognition

for the artistic quality of his debut film “La Vie en Rose,” he had
yet to be acknowledged for its commercial success.
Most of the critics and journalists had likely headed to the

previews of the blockbuster films scheduled at the same time.
“I hope you have an enjoyable time.”
Since it was a technical preview combined with a press screening,

the stage greeting was brief.
The faces of the journalists, who had not held high expectations,
began to change as soon as the film started.
Zzing.
Everyone caught their breath at the sound of Paganini’s bow. The

film’s immersion and grip were on par with, if not superior to,
those of blockbusters.
It gave a different kind of thrill. Throughout the screening, the

eyes of the journalists and critics never left the screen.
The reaction from the Juilliard professors was the same. Initially,
they might have thought it was arrogant to make a music film about
Paganini.
Who could dare to revive Paganini’s melodies? However,
Gulp―!
If Paganini were alive, he would have presented such melodies. The

throats of the Juilliard professors visibly moved in response.
Until the last credit rolled, no one in the audience could rise
from their seats.
Everyone in the audience must have felt it simultaneously. This

film would be a huge hit. Both the journalists and critics, as well
as the Juilliard professors, had many questions for Jean-Pierre.
Eventually, an elderly professor from Juilliard was the first to

speak.
“Director, how did you restore Paganini’s melodies?”
Was it a rash question? The name Paganini was heavy even to mention
among musicians. However, the same curiosity was evident in the
eyes of the other professors.
Jean-Pierre, recalling the making-of film, responded.
“It’s simple.”
“Pardon?”
“Because young Paganini himself played it.”
Surely, once they saw the making-of film, they would experience
another wave of chills.
“Ajumma, isn’t this soup too bland?”
How could she not realize that her own taste was salty? The
housekeeper kept apologizing to my aunt who was complaining.
It was a scene that made me frown. If my grandfather were healthy,

he would have hit my aunt on the forehead with a ladle.
“Jinseok hyung.”
“Huh?”
“How long will you keep coming to Ichon-dong?”
I asked after finishing the meal and calling Yoo Jinseok over. But
the response was absent.
Of course, how could this young kid know? He was just a puppet
moving as his parents told him to.
By the way, my aunt and uncle, as well as my other uncle and his
wife, seemed to visit Ichon-dong a few times a week like clockwork.
‘Tsk.’
They must be scared that my grandfather might suddenly wake up.
However, as the weeks passed with no improvement in my

grandfather’s condition, my aunt and uncle seemed more relieved.
Now they seemed to be having a strategy meeting in the living room

about what to do next.
My father had already made a fuss once, but it had little effect.
At that moment,
“Hyunja, you come here too for a moment.”
My aunt was calling my mother who was in the kitchen. It was just
when my father had left his seat. I had to fill in for him. But the
looks from my aunt and uncle were not pleasant.
“Hyunja, isn’t it hard to take care of father?”
“Right, Hyunja, it makes us feel bad to see you taking care of

everything alone.”
“I’ll send a caregiver when I have time. Hyunja, you should take a
break now. And when you have time, go out and have fun with Kang.
Kang seems to look pale from always being at work.”
Oh, look at that?
Their lines came out as if they had practiced them. Since when did
they care so much about their youngest sibling?
Their intention to hire a caregiver was also clear. They wanted to

plant their person in Ichon-dong to monitor every move.
They were becoming more and more audacious. If my grandfather were

in good health, they wouldn’t be able to come and go from Ichon-
dong at their will.
At that moment,
“Unnie and oppa, don’t you think you’re being too much?”
My mother was angry. There was no need to explain why she was
angry. Even if she didn’t know much about the world, she couldn’t
be unaware of my aunt and uncle’s dark motives.
“Do you really care about father?”
“No, Hyunja. Don’t you understand our feelings? We are suggesting a

caregiver because we worry about you, and now you’re overreacting,
making us look bad!”
“If it weren’t for little oppa, father wouldn’t have collapsed in

the first place. If he had any shame, he would at least look sorry,
but every time he comes to Ichon-dong, he talks about father

passing away―!”
It was the first time in my life I had seen my mother get so angry.
The saying that if a woman holds a grudge, there will be frost even
in May fit perfectly. My mother’s eyes were colder than ever.
Of course, she was the child my grandfather loved the most. My

mother, firmly refusing the caregiver, stood up, making them wear
awkward expressions.
“Jinseok.”
I went upstairs and called Yoo Jinseok. Ever since he got a beating
from me, he had always been afraid of me. Now, speaking informally
to him, he looked even more intimidated.
But who am I? I had been a prosecutor for a long time and even
prepared to become a congressman. Handling people was something I
had been doing all my life. How could I not handle this young kid?
“You have to be my eyes.”
First, I had to plant a black box among that lot.
“America?”
Kim Sang-guk looked puzzled. He hadn’t expected his first business

trip to come so soon. Moreover, to America out of the blue was
quite surprising.
“You’re going with me.”
“Going with you?”
“We were invited to a film premiere in America. Didn’t I mention

it? I participated in the simultaneous recording of a music film
around this time last year.”
He still seemed puzzled.
“Weren’t you supposed to be making a lot of money?”
“I need to make a lot of money.”
“Then why go to America? It can’t just be for the premiere. If it’s

about investment, you could go alone.”
He was right. It was obvious that with my young appearance, I would

be rejected if I went to seek investment. No matter how much
Americans valued money, appearances were important.
Who would trust a high school student who wasn’t even a college
student? Maybe they would for a movie.
Moreover, I didn’t have enough money for investment yet.
“Mr. Kim, you know exactly how much I own, right?”
“I handle accounting at the gallery as well. I have a rough idea.

Do you want the exact amount?”
“No, I already know.”
For my age, it was a considerable amount, enough to be called a

fortune. Copyright royalties had been quite substantial.
And what about ticket power? If I held another solo concert, it

would sell out even faster than before.
But.
“It’s not enough.”
Dongju Chemicals was already a leading company in the chemical

industry. Moreover, with the development speed and value of
graphene increasing every day,
In other words, it was a continuously rising stock. So, my current

assets were far from enough. It was like trying to catch a running
train.
But there was a way.
“The war has begun, so now I need to make bullets.”
“I’m curious about your plan.”
Calling it bullets was an understatement, but I had no choice. I

couldn’t reveal the exact amount here.
If my memory of my past life was correct, it would be the next

round. It was an incident so frequently covered in newspapers and
topics that I couldn’t forget.
How could I remember it so vividly? Isn’t software tremendously

advanced? To exaggerate, I could even remember the number of
anchovies I had for lunch.
“I have the first method to make a lump sum of money.”
The grand house in Pyeongchang-dong, surrounded by red walls like a

fortress, was bustling early in the morning with people planting
garden trees.
Just like the country club in Gapyeong, Chairman Wang spared no

expense in buying old trees and landscaping trees. It was said that
the cost of the landscaping trees in the Pyeongchang-dong mansion
was more than that of an average house.
“Father, aren’t you going to Ichon-dong today?”
“I went yesterday. Today I’ll just enjoy the view of the palm
trees.”
“Chairman Yoo is still unwell, right?”
Chairman Wang nodded silently. In reality, he had spent time

yesterday catching up on old conversations, losing track of time.
It was said that only the housekeeper knew, and the children didn’t
know at all.
At that moment, a man in a suit walked up beyond the garden.
“You’re here, Manager Kim.”
“Hello, Manager Kim.”
Kim Sang-guk bowed to Chairman Wang first and then greeted Im

Hyera.
With the perceptive Im Hyera stepping aside, Chairman Wang walked

among the landscaping trees. To talk discreetly, this much was
necessary.
Looking at the dense landscaping trees, it felt like being in an

arboretum.
“Manager Kim, how was it seeing Hyun?”
“He didn’t waver no matter what wind blew.”
“Didn’t waver?”
Kim Sang-guk nodded without hesitation.
As the saying goes, you can tell a lot by a little, the more he
talked with Kang Hyun, the more Kim Sang-guk couldn’t hide his
amazement.
Sometimes it didn’t feel like talking to a seventeen-year-old but

rather to someone of his own age or even an older veteran.
“Chairman, this may be presumptuous, but as a manager in the

Strategic Planning Office, I’ve met many people. Of course,
compared to you, it’s nothing, but I thought I knew how to read
people. But meeting Kang Hyun made me realize it was a vain
arrogance.”
As the saying goes, there’s always someone better. This fit Kang
Hyun perfectly.
Among the people he had seen in the Strategic Planning Office, Kang
Hyun’s planning and driving power were the best. Moreover, his
ideas were extraordinary.
“Going to America?”
“Why America all of a sudden?”
It made sense if it was for a movie premiere, but the timing wasn’t
right. If it were for investment issues, he could just send Kim
Sang-guk alone.
However, Kim Sang-guk hesitated to speak and then started.
“Actually, Kang Hyun had another condition.”
“A condition?”
“He said it’s okay to report minor conversations or impressions

with him, but he wants us to keep the contract and business details
confidential.”
At that moment, Chairman Wang burst into laughter. His laughter was
so hearty that the palm tree leaves seemed to dance and sway.
It was as if Kang Hyun’s words were aimed at him. Despite his young
age, Kang Hyun was trying to make Kim Sang-guk his own person, step
by step.
Chairman Wang, without asking further, turned his head to look at

the landscaping trees.
“Looking at these palm trees, I think of Hyun. Do you know the

flower language of the palm tree?”
Since it was a tree imported from abroad, its flowers bloomed late.
Moreover, it was difficult to grow in Seoul, but Chairman Wang had
managed to grow it with added lighting. Looking at the palm tree
flowers that bloomed with much effort, Chairman Wang added a word.
“Seizing.”
Chairman Wang, with a peculiar smile, walked away, curious about

how far the boy’s hands could reach.”
“Hyun, have you ever been to the United States?”
Isn’t it a voice full of curiosity?
“Excuse me?”
“No, I mean, you don’t seem very surprised even when looking at the
Golden Gate Bridge. It looks like it’s your first time in the U.S.
according to your passport, but did you travel abroad frequently
for movie shoots when you were young?”
It seemed that Kim Sang-guk expected me, a child, to be excitedly

roaming around as soon as I arrived in the U.S.
Of course, it was the year 1997. There was a significant difference

between South Korea, which was on the brink of a crisis, and the
U.S., which was welcoming the 21st century.
For instance, the Golden Gate Bridge, the Empire State Building in
New York, or Las Vegas could all be described as otherworldly.
However…
“It’s fascinating, but that’s all.”
Hadn’t I visited the U.S. frequently in my past life? The late

20th-century U.S. looked more like a scene from a retro movie than
something extraordinary.
It felt as if everyone else saw things through colored lenses while

I alone wore gray lenses. That might be why I didn’t feel much
excitement.
“No matter how I see it, Hyun, it seems you were an American in
your past life.”
Kim Sang-guk’s eyes widened as I skillfully selected and ordered

bread to go with the seasonal menu at a 50-year-old Pete’s Coffee.
It seemed like an old habit came out naturally.
I vaguely explained that I had read about the ordering method in a

catalog on the flight to the U.S.
“I didn’t expect you to make such a silly joke, Mr. Kim.”
“Look at you. Who would think you’re a seventeen-year-old high

school student?”
I had gotten quite close to Kim Sang-guk by now. The irony was that
I never dreamed I would make the Prime Minister I had watched
preparing for the National Assembly in my past life my
representative.
Kim Sang-guk took a sip of coffee and looked at me intently.
“I’m curious about what your plan is.”
I hadn’t told Kim Sang-guk the specifics yet. Of course, if he

heard my plan, he would undoubtedly call me crazy.
There were countless ways to make money. But coincidentally, the

timing never matched up.
Investing in what would become a giant corporation in the future

was a good idea, but it would take a long time to bear fruit.
How about trying a big short?
‘Tsk.’
No way. During the subprime mortgage crisis, many people dreamed of

becoming movie protagonists and making a fortune. There were even
those who made astronomical profits through put options.
But were they the only ones who exercised put options? Most
investors had the same idea as the protagonists but eventually fell
off a cliff because they couldn’t time the short correctly,
something the movies don’t show.
No matter how advanced software becomes, it’s impossible to know

the detailed trends of foreign stocks that I am unaware of.
I needed a more groundbreaking way to gather funds. Of course,

others might see it as reckless.
“To make the movie a reality.”
That was my first objective in the U.S.
“It’s like looking at Myeongdong.”
Hollywood Boulevard is always packed with people. The tall palm

trees give a slight resort feel, but the dazzling neon signs and
flashing billboards are so bright they hurt your eyes.
Moreover, as time goes by, the number of people increases rather

than decreases, making the street even more crowded.
“Mr. Kim, you could have stayed at the hotel.”
“How could I let you, a young one, go to such a crowded, remote

place alone? If I sent you to the premiere without a guardian, the
police would surely arrest me for child abuse.”
“Child abuse?”
Ahem, I understood Kim Sang-guk’s concern. In some ways, I still

had a stronger image of a seventeen-year-old high school student
rather than an employer.
In hindsight, I should have taken the car Alessandro sent. I

regretted saying I would walk.
“Hyun, is Martina coming to this premiere?”

“Martina?”
“Yes, I’ve been a huge fan of hers for a long time—!”
It seemed he was more interested in personal gain. Now I realized

he wasn’t worried about me but was eager to see Martina, the female
lead of the movie Paganini. After all, she was voted the sexiest
actress in Hollywood.
“Hyun—!”
Just then, an assistant director who had come to greet me waved his
hand.
Although it had been a year since we last met, the assistant

director was so glad to see me that Kim Sang-guk praised me,
saying, “Hyun, you must have been good at socializing.”
Thanks to him, I could comfortably make my way to the theater where

the premiere was held.
“Hyun, it’s been a long time.”
“Long time no see, Director.”
“And who is this beside you?”
After warmly hugging Director Jean-Pierre, I introduced the

awkwardly standing Kim Sang-guk.
“This is my uncle.”
Kim Sang-guk briefly cleared his throat at the word “uncle.” He

seemed at a loss for a more appropriate title, so he stayed silent.
“Alessandro and Martina are probably taking pictures at the photo

line.”
“Getting out of a long limousine, right? I’ve seen it a few times

in Hollywood columns. Top stars attending premieres.”
“Ha-ha, shall we go together then?”
The movie Paganini was competing with blockbuster-level works, but

looking at the number of journalists at the premiere, it seemed
they were not falling behind. I heard the press preview had
received very favorable reviews.
Just in time, Alessandro and Martina were getting out of the

arriving limousine from a distance.
“They do look like Paganini and his lover.”

They walked the red carpet as if they had stepped right out of the
movie poster. Their graceful steps and adept manners clearly showed
they were top stars.
Next to me, Kim Sang-guk was staring at Martina with his mouth wide
open. The two stood at the photo line.
“Hyun?”
Alessandro recognized me and gradually widened his eyes. Martina,

in her red dress, did the same.
The two hastily gestured for me to come over.
Huh?
Before I knew it, I was pushed to the photo line with them. The
reporters’ faces were full of curiosity.
Alessandro flashed a mischievous smile and positioned me between

himself and Martina.
Someone might think we were taking a family photo. Coincidentally,

my formal attire matched well with the overall color scheme.
At that moment, Alessandro spoke softly to the reporters.
“This friend is the young Paganini you’ve all been curious about.”
At that instant, dazzling spotlights poured down on me.
Chairman Wang visited the mansion in Ichon-dong for a simple

reason: to relay the events of the past few days to an old friend.
Although Chairman Wang himself found it amusing to do such things
at his age, it was also enjoyable.
“Old man, get up already.”
At Chairman Wang’s voice, Chairman Yoo, who had been lying on the
sickbed, slowly opened his eyes like before.
Despite being bedridden, Chairman Yoo’s face was getting plumper

day by day instead of becoming gaunt.
It was because the housekeeper had secretly prepared special meals

for Chairman Yoo late at night more than once.
“As soon as your children saw me, they fled Ichon-dong like a bat
out of hell. Especially your second son, Beom-gyeong, turned pale
and ran away as soon as he saw me, probably afraid I’d crack his
forehead like yours. How much longer are you going to let them
scheme like this?”
“Hand, isn’t it fun? They think I’m still out of my mind and say
all sorts of things right in front of me. Each time, it feels like
the scales are falling from my eyes regarding my children.”
“Tsk, if it were up to me, I’d smack everyone except Hyeon and his
wife. But you must have your reasons for letting it slide.”
Chairman Yoo showed a faint smile. Indeed, he wasn’t lying in bed

for no reason.
The longer he remained bedridden, the more his children’s greed and
desires surfaced. Moreover, they would let their guard down.
“Are you aware that Hyun went to the U.S.?”
“I know. He made a firm resolution in front of me the day before he

left.”
“A resolution?”
How could one not be curious? Wasn’t this the high school student
who had won over Kim Sang-guk from the Strategic Planning Office?
Chairman Yoo’s cryptic smile piqued his curiosity, but he didn’t

answer.
Chairman Wang recounted the events between Kim Sang-guk and Kang
Hyun.
“To rake in money, huh.”
“Old man, do you have any idea how?”
“I’m not sure. He didn’t use the term ‘rake in money’ in front of
me. Besides, he didn’t go to the U.S. just to attend a movie
premiere. Hand, what do you think?”
Chairman Wang recalled the various sides Kang Hyun had shown thus
far.
Wasn’t Hyun someone who revealed a different aspect each time, like
peeling an onion? This time, too, he would undoubtedly stir the
hearts of the two old men.
“He must be thinking of some extraordinary method.”
Just then, they heard a noise from beyond the door, and Chairman
Yoo lay back down on the bed.
Chairman Wang was amazed by his friend’s cunning. On the other

hand, he thought that such secretive movements would prevent
bedsores.
“Number 30, $1.2 million—!”
The painting “Shadows in the Mist” by French artist Nicolas Foin.

No matter how I looked at it, I was clearly living a life far
removed from modern art.
I knew this painting would sell for ten times its current value in
the future, but I wasn’t particularly interested.
“Number 7, $1.25 million.”
“Number 19, $1.3 million.”
It was the same auction house I had visited with Im Hyera, except
it was in LA this time. Thanks to that, it was easy to prove my
identity.
Typically, only the final bidder is named, but since this was a
private auction, each bidder was called out individually.
“Hyun, why are we here? Is there a piece you want to buy?”
Kim Sang-guk still looked puzzled. He probably never imagined that

we would visit an auction house right after the Hollywood premiere.
Moreover, all the auction items were antiques.
“Yes, there’s something I must buy.”
“Something you must buy?”
I had confirmed several times through newspapers and news. The

auction item I was looking for was definitely coming up at this LA
auction.
Like a lion waiting for its prey in the bushes, I leaned back in my
chair leisurely.
Even as billions of won were being bid right before my eyes, I

didn’t flinch, causing Kim Sang-guk to be astounded.
“The next item is ‘Lunch with Barbara.’”
The auction room buzzed. Kim Sang-guk also looked puzzled. After
all, ‘Lunch with Barbara’ wasn’t a painting. It was literally a
lunch.
Who is Barbara, you ask? A Jewish magnate involved in mining,

railroads, and real estate. She had put up a lunch for auction long
before the Oracle of Omaha did.
“The starting bid for ‘Lunch with Barbara’ is $10,000, with no

minimum increment. The auction proceeds will be donated to the
Barbara Foundation’s charity fund.”
In a way, it was more of an event auction. But given the era,

starting at $10,000 for lunch with a magnate was unbelievable, and
everyone clicked their tongues. Still, people gradually raised
their paddles.
“Number 17, $30,000.”
“Number 28, $35,000.”
Since there was no minimum increment, people raised their paddles

and called out prices.
If I remember correctly, the first auction for ‘Lunch with Barbara’

historically sold for less than $100,000.
Given that ‘Lunch with Barbara’ would later fetch billions of won,
it was a bargain.
However, considering the era, it was a groundbreaking amount.
“Number 76, $97,000!”
The auctioneer was about to declare it sold and strike the gavel
three times.
The room buzzed. The price had quickly shot up, but no higher bids
were forthcoming.
Indeed, spending $100,000 on a single lunch was absurd. Even Kim

Sang-guk sighed and shook his head.
At that moment…
“$1 million—!”
I raised my paddle and shouted.
Chapter 137
ZLOOD
2024-07-02
Dudududung―!
Sweat trickled down my entire body as if I were playing Liszt’s

“Transcendental Étude No. 4” like Mazeppa.
The sound of a horse’s hooves represented by thirds, the urgency of

being chased by wild animals, the joy of hope blooming in a moment
of crisis.
Like Mazeppa, it was a high-difficulty score that never let the

performer’s soul rest.
My fingers danced on the keyboard as if racing along the notes.

From the shoulders, down the elbows, to the fingertips. Baek

Junghoon’s body moved in unison with the piano as if they were one.
When he gently pressed the keys like a spring, the awaited piano
hammer struck the strings.
Thump, thump, thump.
Baek Junghoon’s heart started pounding incessantly, just like the

ceaseless flow of the score.
His long fingers glided across the keyboard, producing a brilliant

and colorful melody, as if releasing a held breath.
As if reading a novel without any pauses, he flawlessly played the

notes until a fermata marked the end with a final period.
‘Amazing.’
Kang Hyun’s score was truly amazing. Baek Junghoon felt an

inexplicable sense of uplift and ambition as he studied the sheet
music composed by Kang Hyun. The more he practiced and reflected on
the notes, the newer the piece felt.
How long had he been sitting in front of the piano? His long
fingers were trembling as if he had developed a tremor.
It was then.
“Junghoon-ssi, are you still practicing?”
Director Im Hyera approached Baek Junghoon. She looked worried as

she noticed his shirt drenched in sweat from head to waist.
She had expected that the pianist she recruited, being a genius and
a hard worker, would push himself to some extent, but she didn’t
think he would drive himself to such extremes.
“Take it easy. There’s still a lot of time until the recital,

right?”
“I’m fine. Playing the piano is always a joy for me. And how could
I stay still when my teacher left me such a great score?”
“Really, Hyun and you are both as stubborn as oxen. Anyway, take a
look at this.”
Director Im Hyera abruptly handed a newspaper to Baek Junghoon. As

he received it, his eyes gradually widened.
The reason was simple. Kang Hyun’s photo was prominently displayed
in the entertainment section. And he wasn’t alone.
“Who are the people next to him?”

“Junghoon-ssi, don’t you watch movies? They’re Alessandro and

Martina, famous Hollywood actors.”
“I was just confused. I never imagined Hyun would have a photo op

in Hollywood.”
Indeed, no domestic actor had ever had a photo op on the Hollywood

red carpet, let alone alongside well-known Hollywood stars.
And what about that confident and bold expression? He looked like
the protagonist of a movie.
At that moment, another article caught Baek Junghoon’s eye.
“An anonymous businessman A won a lunch auction with Barbara for $1

million at LA Sotheby’s?”
“You saw it too, huh? I was surprised by that article as well. Who
would have thought that a lunch with a tycoon would surpass a
million dollars? The world is indeed a strange place, isn’t it?”
“Huh, who could it be?”
This crazy person.
“Hyun!”
Manager Kim Sang-guk’s raised voice was understandable. He had

acted without consulting anyone, including himself.
He had spent a whopping $1 million from the business funds, and for
a lunch of all things.
“Why did you bid $1 million, CEO?”
Kim Sang-guk had already switched to his employee mode. He even

changed his informal speech to formal. It was clear he wanted to
hear the detailed expenditure of the business funds.
Did he think I didn’t care about the money? Even if I had shouted
$20,000, it would likely have been successful.
“There wouldn’t have been enough impact with just $10,000.”
“Impact?”
“It wasn’t just an ordinary lunch.”
Of course, it was an extension of business. It was similar to the

concept of entertainment. Moreover, it was significant because it
was the first-ever lunch with Barbara.
But Manager Kim Sang-guk’s expression was still unsatisfactory.

Though I wanted to explain everything, I knew it would be pointless
at this moment.
To Manager Kim Sang-guk, I must have looked like a crazy person.
“CEO, did you come to the U.S. primarily for lunch with Barbara?”
“Yes, that was the main reason. The premiere was just a secondary
purpose.”
“Phew.”
Kim Sang-guk sighed deeply. Did I really fly across the ocean just
for a lunch with a tycoon?
It was like having cold water thrown on the head of someone who had
been planning a brilliant investment strategy. I walked towards
Pitch Coffee, leaving Kim Sang-guk behind. I ordered my usual
seasonal coffee and accompanying bread.
“Manager Kim, let’s eat first.”
“CEO, you paid $1 million for lunch, and now you’re just having
coffee and bread? With all due respect, $1 million could have been
invested in prime real estate in Korea to multiply the money. But
lunch money?”
“I understand, Manager. I know it’s a prime time to sweep up golden

land in Korea.”
Kim Sang-guk sighed again and nodded briefly.
“Hyun, I’ve been fond of you since I first saw you in the Strategic
Planning Office. It was your boldness and drive that made me follow
you to America. But I didn’t leave the Strategic Planning Office to
commit such absurdities. As your uncle, putting aside our employer-
employee relationship, I just can’t understand you.”
Kim Sang-guk genuinely worried about me. Unlike my past life, this
time, I seem to have more people who truly care for and cherish me.
My charm and luck with people must have improved.
Though I want to share all my plans, it’s still too early.
At that moment, my eyes met Kim Sang-guk’s.
“Manager Kim, there’s a saying that seeing once is better than

hearing a hundred times.”
“That’s right.”
“If this plan falls through, I’ll follow your advice from now on.
But this time.”
Of course, I didn’t act thoughtlessly.
There were several groundbreaking and large-scale ways to gather

funds. I chose the one with the highest possibility.
Why did I spend $1 million? The lunch with Barbara served as a

bridge to amass wealth.
“Please watch.”
As this moment of turning movies into reality unfolds.
“To rule the country, one must first cultivate oneself and manage
the family.”
The reception room was filled with an old scent.
“We’ve established connections in China and India, so now it’s time

to strengthen our domestic position. It’s an excellent opportunity,
after all.”
Isn’t the Republic of Korea in a precarious state? Though we

narrowly avoided a crisis, the domestic real estate market was
still in a slump. However, Chairman Wang believed this dark period
wouldn’t last long.
Son Ilseon listened attentively to Chairman Wang’s words like a

student.
“How is Hongwon doing these days?”
“I understand he’s been staying at home without any particular

activities. Since he got scolded badly on your birthday last time,
he’s been more cautious.”
“Alright, always keep an eye on and look after Hongwon. Even if

he’s an unworthy finger, he’s still your brother. If he makes any
mistakes, you should firmly correct him as his elder.”
Chairman Wang had many thoughts about his friend’s family. His own
family wasn’t much different from Chairman Yoo’s family.
Fortunately, Son Ilseon was solidly holding his position. With a

central figure, the family wouldn’t easily waver.
“Father, but how long will Manager Kim be disciplined?”
“Disciplined?”
“Wasn’t sending him to Hyun a form of discipline?”

It seemed even Son Ilseon misunderstood. He didn’t think sending

Kim Sang-guk to a seventeen-year-old student was just a transfer.
Chairman Wang shook his head.
“Manager Kim isn’t someone who moves just because I tell him to.
Why do you think I placed him as the head of the Strategic Planning
Office? It’s because he has the courage and ability to back it up.
Such a person moved on his own.”
Convincing someone with a single word is easy for a gullible

person, but very difficult for someone like Kim Sang-guk, who
constantly harbors doubts and thoughts.
However, Kang Hyun had captivated Kim Sang-guk with just a word. In
terms of persuasive skills and situational handling, Kang Hyun
surpassed even Son Ilseon.
“Chairman.”
At that moment, Secretary Kim cautiously entered the reception

room.
“Is it news from America?”
The reason Secretary Kim visited the reception room was simple. It
was due to the instruction to inform immediately of any special
events from America.
Chairman Wang’s expression changed moment by moment as he listened

to Secretary Kim’s report. Son Ilseon, who couldn’t hear Secretary
Kim’s words, was curious.
Eventually, Chairman Wang showed a peculiar expression.
“A million dollars.”
From a business perspective, it was a relatively small amount, but

it was still a considerable sum for a lunch.
What was his scheme this time? He was curious. What new aspect
would Kang Hyun show this time?
The teacup clinked as it was placed on the table in the reception

room.
“Welcome, Violinist Hyun.”
The lunch with Barbara took place at her Malibu Colony Beach
mansion in LA.
Even if the meal was in a luxurious mansion, would you believe it

was worth a million dollars?
An elderly butler personally guided me. It seemed they already knew

I was a violinist. Surely, they had thoroughly investigated me.
The living room with a long dining table had glass walls, offering
a clear view of the beach.
The brilliant sunlight streamed in like fancy lighting. It felt

like a ten billion-dollar view.
At that moment.
“I never imagined my first lunch would be with such a young

musician. Welcome, Violinist Hyun!”
Barbara, a renowned tycoon in mining, railroads, and real estate in

America, made her entrance.
Her brown eyes in traditional Jewish attire looked familiar.
Do successful wealthy individuals all have something in common? Her

piercing gaze made me feel like I was in Pyeongchang-dong.
“Hyun, honestly, I’m surprised. I never thought a lunch with me

would fetch a million dollars at auction.”
“I thought a million dollars was a small amount to meet Barbara. I

would have paid more if needed.”
“Haha, Hyun, you’re indeed an enigma. In the past, Jewish merchants

appointed leaders based on their abilities regardless of age. I
know your name well as a classical music enthusiast. A violinist
who moved Berlin and London at a young age. In that sense, you have
the courage and talent that would have made you a leader of a
merchant guild.”
Indeed, the atmosphere would have overawed an ordinary person. The

luxurious food on the table and the mansion’s splendid interior
would be hard to notice.
Moreover, how about Barbara’s piercing gaze? Eating with those eyes
watching would make one feel sick after just three spoonfuls.
I pretended to be calm as I picked up the knife.
As the seemingly ordinary meal continued.
“Hyun, do you have any wishes?”
There it was―!
The reason why lunch with Barbara became famous later on was
nothing else.
Barbara granted the wishes of the investors who paid for lunch with
her.
No wonder it was called Barbara’s Lamp, not Genie’s Lamp.
But I didn’t come just to make a wish worth a million dollars.
“I want to make a deal with you, Barbara.”
“A deal?”
Barbara looked completely unanticipated. She expected me to ask for

advice on where to invest.
What could a violinist possibly trade with a tycoon who seemingly

had everything?
At that moment, I leaned forward and met Barbara’s eyes.
“There are three reasons why Barbara and I should make a deal.”
Now, it’s time to roll the dice.
Chapter 138
ZLOOD
2024-07-02
“Do you feel the popularity?”
It was a difficult question.
“I still don’t know well. I’m aware that critics and reporters have
given a lot of positive feedback, but it will take quite some time
to directly feel the reactions of numerous audiences.”
Popularity is always relative. Moreover, it was too early to make a

judgment as only the premiere had been completed.
Nevertheless, the reactions around were intense. Especially, the

professors from the Juilliard School of Music who had watched the
movie in advance were more enthusiastic than ever.
“The dignified professors immediately came to me after the movie

ended, asking how the actor, Alessandro, could play the violin so
well. These old professors who were not familiar with the movie
recording system probably didn’t know about the existence of
synchronous recording.”
That was understandable because Alessandro’s skills with his left-

hand fingering and fierce bowing made it seem like he was playing
himself, enough to surprise many. Throughout the filming, wasn’t it
Kang Hyun who directly taught Alessandro?
“When I mentioned that violinist Hyun performed the synchronous

recording and played Paganini’s sheet music, one of the professors
exclaimed, ‘Are you talking about the Mozart of Brussels?’ It turns
out that violinist Hyun was called the reincarnation of Mozart at
an international competition held in Brussels several years ago.”
Jean-Pierre still felt a cold sweat on his forehead when he

recalled that day. He was more nervous than when he received sharp
questions from any critic.
The old professors, who seemed disinterested like cattle led to a

slaughterhouse until the movie began, all lit up their eyes and
bombarded him with questions.
“The professors from Juilliard wanted to meet violinist Hyun

immediately. Unfortunately, that was not possible. I told them to
attend the party a week later. By then, violinist Hyun, who had
gone to LA, would be back.”
Jean-Pierre didn’t know the reason why Kang Hyun suddenly headed to
LA.
Right after the premiere ended, numerous reporters wanted to

interview Kang Hyun, who had performed the synchronous recording,
but less than an hour later, he left for Hollywood.
As Kang Hyun hurriedly left the premiere hall, he left a peculiar

answer to Jean-Pierre’s question.
“He said he was going to make a friend.”
Barbara Tannenbaum.
As the founding president of the Barbara Group, a notable point is

that, as the name Tannenbaum (fir tree) suggests, she is Jewish.
Originally rooted in the southeastern state of Saxony, Germany, she

was greatly involved in the mining industry.
She reportedly fled to the United States through Denmark, a border

area, to escape Nazi persecution. The reason she named her firm
‘Barbara’ instead of ‘Tannebaum’ was this.
“My parents entrusted me, then an infant, to a relative and were

taken to the Dachau concentration camp. It was the only way for our
family to survive. After the Nazi regime collapsed, my parents came
out from Dachau, but my mother, who was weak, caught typhus and
didn’t survive for many years.”
Her mother’s name was also ‘Barbara.’ It was well-known. A movie

depicting Barbara Tannenbaum’s life was even made later.
Before even reaching adulthood, she began to influence the mining,

railroad, and real estate industries in the land of opportunity,
America, using the unique brainpower of the Jewish people.
“In America, I always doubted and read people’s minds. Many among
the numerous people approaching me coveted my money and status. Now
that I’ve reached a certain position, petty wanderers can’t even
approach anymore. But today, I didn’t expect to receive a business
proposal at lunch. I’m very curious about what will be proposed.”
Barbara put down her teacup and smiled faintly.
“Hyun, what are the three reasons I should make a deal with you?”
Her eyes gleamed like a storm.
‘Comparable to the old serpent.’
In a way, both of them had similarities. They were people who

landed in the land of opportunity and made history while bearing
scars.
But there was no thought of hesitating here.
“First, the prospects for Barbara Mining are not bright. I

understand that there is a lot of talk within the group about
stopping mining due to continuous exploration failures and
management difficulties over the years.”
Barbara leaned forward at the unexpected story.
“Second, however, the president does not want to give up the mining
business. As a result, you have stretched into the real estate
business, circulating the deficit from Barbara Mining through the
capital from real estate and railroads. Why does a thorough and
cold president try to maintain the historically declining mining
business?”
Because the mining industry was the very foundation of Barbara

Group.
Moreover, wasn’t it the industry that her parents, who were taken
to a concentration camp for her, first ventured into? The
management deficit as an entrepreneur was not the issue. It was in
a way to preserve the spirit of her parents.
“Third, you asked if I had any wishes. What I wish for is simple.
It’s to send Barbara Mining’s exploration team to the area I want.
If you send them there, the problem of Barbara Mining will be
solved.”
Operating an exploration team costs a considerable amount. But it

was not comparable to a million dollars, as it was simply a
geological survey.
However, most of the cost was known to be spent on resolving

political issues with the developing country concerned.
At that moment, Barbara made a peculiar expression and looked at

me.
“It’s amazing. From what you’re saying, it sounds like you know an
exploration area that can save Barbara Mining, which is struggling
with deficits.”
“That’s correct.”
“What?”
Precisely, it was a place Barbara Mining would discover three years

later. It was a sensation that made the world buzz, being called
the blessing of the millennium. It even made headlines in news
across the distant Asia.
It was quite famous in the legal community as well. Why? Because

there was a legal dispute between the local government and Barbara
Mining over the discovery of the mining area. I also studied the
case overview thoroughly as an example of overseas disputes.
Barbara stared into my eyes for a long time.
“My father always said before closing his eyes. He told me to stay
close to someone with eyes as clear as a lake and as deep as an
ocean. Even if what you say is a lie, it’s fine. I already intended
to grant you a wish equivalent to a million dollars. But I must
ask. What is buried there? Copper? Nickel, zinc? Or is it silver?”
Of course, it wasn’t something trivial that I sought Barbara for.

It was something that could be called the flower of mining.
“Gold.”
Isn’t that a brilliant name?
“Julia Roberts of Pretty Woman!”
For some reason, I still don’t get used to parties, whether then or
now. It feels like wearing a tuxedo that doesn’t fit.
On the other hand, Chief Kim Sang-guk’s face was evidently excited,
unlike his usual cold demeanor. It must have been a unique
experience as famous Hollywood actors were attending.
“I didn’t know you liked this kind of atmosphere, Chief Kim.”
“Do you think I always enjoy sweating it out with the tie-wearing
crowd at company dinners? Sometimes you need to get some fresh air
to break the monotony of social life. No, I don’t even know what
I’m saying to you, Hyun. It’s absurd, absurd.”
Indeed, I also hated enjoying company dinners with just men.
When I was at the Western District Prosecutor’s Office in my past

life, didn’t I soothe my burning throat with makgeolli while hiking
with the chief prosecutor every weekend?
Back then, I never dreamed I would enjoy a party like this among
Hollywood actors.
“Hyun, Demi Moore of Ghost!”
The party was to celebrate the successful premiere of the movie

‘Paganini,’ but all the money donated in name would be used to help
the underprivileged, so many celebrities from Hollywood attended.
There were even wealthy individuals recognized by Hollywood on one

side. Indeed, it was a social gathering.
“Hyun!”
At that moment, Director Jean-Pierre came to see me happily.
“There are many people who want to meet you.”
“Me?”
“Yes, you are the other protagonist of this movie.”
Led by Director Jean-Pierre, I had to greet people here and there.
Anyone would think it’s like a parent introducing their son who got
accepted into a Korean university during a holiday.
After going through many groups, the last place Director Jean-
Pierre led me to was a group of elderly gentlemen. I heard they
were professors from the Juilliard School of Music.
‘Why do I often build connections with music professors?’
It was the same in Moscow, and I didn’t expect to be so warmly

welcomed even at Juilliard.
We were having an in-depth discussion on how I interpreted

Paganini’s sheet music when the eldest-looking professor looked at
me and made a request.
“Violinist Hyun, if it’s not too much trouble, could you play a
piece here? After watching the movie, Paganini’s melody has been
lingering in my mind so much that I can’t sleep properly. I know
it’s a rude request, but please understand this old man’s excited
heart.”
Ziiing.
The bow glided over the strings, producing a soft and rich melody.
The noisy party hall instantly became quiet.
Everyone was watching a single performer, as if in a European

social salon.
The continuous serious tone, hard to believe it was Paganini’s

sheet music. Yet, it was a performance that made one clench their
hands more than any other melody.
The proof was that tension was already filling the eyes of the
elderly professors.
The bowing expressed the swaying of trees in the wind, gently

moving over the strings.
Kang Hyun’s left-hand fingers slid over the fingerboard as if

without relaxation.
Despite the sudden performance, everyone became excellent

listeners, holding their breath as if by agreement. It was then.
Ziiing—!
When the bow pressed the strings strongly, a fierce melody reached
the ceiling.
Paganini Caprice No. 24.
The previous peace seemed to express the calm before the storm,
with the bow fiercely bowing.
It was a series of intense melodies, hard to believe produced by a

single person.
The pizzicato technique, plucking with the left-hand fingers while

bowing with the right, was unbelievable even when seen.
The long fingers showed off harmonics and double-stop techniques,

as if the bow and strings were competing against each other in a
brilliant display of skill.
It felt like one violin turned into two.
Snap.
The elderly professor from earlier stood up, clenching his hands.
The melody, as if tearing through the chest, had shaken his musical
soul. The proof was the ecstasy filling his wrinkled eyes.
Even though the performer’s bow pointed downward, no one spoke

first.
Despite the unplanned performance, everyone seemed lost in a long

afterglow. Even the famous actors who frequently attended social
parties were no different.
Although musicians often performed at parties, it was the first

time they had been so shocked. Had there ever been a time they felt
so breathless listening to an instrument’s melody?
“Indeed, it’s amazing, as the rumors say, violinist Hyun.”
An elderly professor from Juilliard shook hands with Kang Hyun. His
face was evidently excited. Moreover, didn’t he donate a huge sum
at this party?
Those who heard Kang Hyun’s performance started to increase their

donation amounts. In a way, it was like a performance event for the
charity event.
The party organizer’s face showed mixed joy and difficulty.
“Director Jean-Pierre, may I also make a donation?”
At that moment, a mysterious man handed over a check. Jean-Pierre’s

eyes widened as he looked at the amount written on the blank check.
He rubbed his eyes with his sleeve in disbelief and checked the
numbers on the check again.
“A million dollars?”
“Yes, that’s right. It’s the value of hearing violinist Hyun’s

performance.”
Only then did Jean-Pierre look at the man’s face. It was a familiar
face from Forbes magazine. Looking closely, he even had bodyguards
with him.
Even the famous Hollywood actors lost their presence before him
like fireflies before the sun.
Although anyone could attend the party if they were a famous

Hollywood personality, dreaming of this person’s attendance was
beyond imagination.
He was approaching Kang Hyun, who had finished his performance.
“It was a very good performance.”
“Thank you, Barbara.”
“I have always become friends with those I wanted to connect with,

regardless of age, gender, or nationality. I received the first
report from the exploration team sent to the exploration area. At

first, I couldn’t believe it. But then your eyes came to mind.
Those deep eyes filled with conviction.”
Barbara smiled faintly and continued.
“Hyun, will you be my friend?”
Chapter 139
ZLOOD
2024-07-02
“Son Jangwon, what do you mean by that?”
It was an unexpected story.
“Just as I said, Hyun has signed a contract with Barbara Tannenbaum

in the United States. And he met her directly.”
“Are you talking about the Barbara Group?”
“Yes, I’m talking about the Jewish chairwoman who wielded the most
powerful influence during the gold standard.”
A sigh of disbelief escaped from Chairman Yoo’s mouth, who was

sitting on the sickbed. His face was evidently surprised.
The reason was simple. It was hard to believe.
They say that when a person is too surprised, they can’t speak.
This was exactly that moment.
“Chairwoman Barbara?”
There was no way the two grandfathers didn’t know Chairwoman

Barbara. She was one of the wealthiest individuals with the
greatest influence in America.
Just like the Sage of Omaha, she was known as an investment genius.
She wasn’t someone you could easily meet just because you wanted
to. People jokingly said she was harder to meet than someone from
the White House.
It was incomprehensible.
He thought he had a clear grasp of Kang Hyun’s assets since he was

handling the accounting and tax affairs for the Jael Foundation.
Moreover, what use would tens of billions of won be in a country

like the United States? In a way, it was no different from choosing
to go to America with empty pockets.
While he guessed that the sudden trip to America wasn’t simply for
attending a premiere, still, a contract with the Barbara Group?
“Son Jangwon, do you know the contents of the contract?”
“I don’t know that far. I was just keeping an eye on what might
happen in America. Who would have known he would meet Chairwoman
Barbara? If you find out how he met her, you’ll be very surprised.
And if you find out what she called Hyun, you might even scream.”
Chairman Wang began recounting what Kang Hyun had done in America.
From boldly winning a lunch at LA Sotheby’s for a million dollars

to Chairwoman Barbara personally calling Kang Hyun her “friend.”
“Old man, no matter how you look at it, Hyun is meant to be a

businessman. It’s known that Chairwoman Barbara only calls someone
a friend when they are equal business partners. How did that sly
old man manage to win her over?”
There were many curiosities.
Even when he had won over Director Kim Sang-guk from the Strategic
Planning Office, he knew he was a sharp guy. But to think he could
even win over Chairwoman Barbara, known as a great magnate in
America.
Moreover, wasn’t the subject of the contract Barbara Mining?
Chairman Wang and Chairman Yoo had been leading their businesses
from the forefront for many years, but at this moment, they
couldn’t grasp what kind of contract Kang Hyun had made.
“By the way, how long is that guy planning to stay in America while
his grandfather is lying sick in bed?”
“Son Jangwon, are you that curious about the contract’s contents?”
“Isn’t it obvious? Who would have thought he could catch the

biggest fish, not some small fry, in America? Even if I send Ilsun
right now, he wouldn’t be able to establish a business partnership
with Chairwoman Barbara.”
Chairman Yoo recalled his grandson. Didn’t he grasp his hand and
speak before leaving for America?
He almost revealed to his other children that he wasn’t sick.
“Hyun already knows.”
“What?”
“He knows that my mind is still clear.”
Grandfather, frequently move your body secretly from your uncles.

This must be what it feels like to be a shooting star. Being the

star of a party attended by famous Hollywood actors. Had he ever
received such intense attention from so many people outside of the
stage?
He had to greet far more people than when he was preparing to

become a congressman in his past life. His hand still ached from
all the handshakes.
“Director Kim, doesn’t it suit your taste?”
It was a typical American brunch with pancakes, bacon, scrambled

eggs, and roasted potatoes. It was a bit salty but not inedible.
However, Director Kim Sang-guk had been staring blankly without

eating properly since earlier.
“Hyun, the person I saw at the party yesterday was Chairwoman

Barbara, right?”
“Probably, yes.”
“It still feels like a dream. But didn’t Chairwoman Barbara call
you her ‘friend’?”
Of course, as a business major, Director Kim Sang-guk knew

Chairwoman Barbara. She was a great magnate who started dominating
America at a young age. She was like a living legend.
She was the one who had immediately diverted Director Kim Sang-
guk’s attention from all the famous Hollywood actresses.
“How can you become friends with Chairwoman Barbara in just a week,
even if you had lunch with her?”
Kim Sang-guk’s eyes were filled with curiosity, as if he had

experienced a mysterious story. Other people at the party felt the
same.
Even Director Jean-Pierre looked like he had seen a ghost when

Chairwoman Barbara suddenly appeared.
Didn’t she say she donated a million dollars for my performance?
“I had a lot of conversations with Chairwoman Barbara during lunch.

We talked about how the huge entity called America would change in
the future, the trend in East Asia, and many financial
derivatives.”
“What?”
“As a result, Chairwoman Barbara thought highly of me. She saw my

future value and decided to make a kind of contract. I can’t tell
you the details yet. It’s one of the conditions set by Chairwoman
Barbara.”
Of course, if the news about the mining in the exploration area

became known, the stock price of Barbara Mining would soar.
At the word “contract,” Director Kim Sang-guk showed a worried

expression.
Because he knew how powerful it was to sign a piece of paper.
How do I, a mere seventeen-year-old, know such things well?
‘Tsk.’
Recalling his past life, he felt bitter. How many contracts had he
seen as the deputy manager of the Jael Group’s legal team?
His specialty was cleverly twisting each clause’s legal

interpretation to his advantage.
That didn’t mean he was blatantly trying to outsmart Chairwoman

Barbara. His meeting with her wasn’t meant to be a one-time thing.
“I plan to go to New York for now.”
“New York?”
The old professors of Juilliard School of Music had been so eager

for him to visit his alma mater that their intense gazes still
lingered in his dreams.
Of course, that wasn’t the only reason. There was someone he needed
to meet.
“Not Korea?”
“I can’t go back to Korea right now. It’s not the right time yet.”
The reason for not entering the country was simple. His two uncles
and their families were probably having the time of their lives
right now.
They might be revealing their hidden fangs day after day, eyeing
Dongju. Like hyenas greedily eyeing their prey.
To set the trap properly, it was better for him to stay in America.
“They need to be completely off guard.”
So they wouldn’t realize they were the prey.

“Shlyshkom shumno! (It’s terribly noisy!)”
Dr. Tikhonov frowned deeply.
The reason why he, usually known for his good nature, was speaking
irritably in Russian was this: Yoo Beom-gyeong had been visiting
the research institute almost every day.
Though he was the son of the owner family, he was now nothing more
than a rogue without a title.
“Ah, I told you I just want to see the research results—!”
As they say, the one with the loudest voice wins.
When Chairman Yoo was in good health, this rogue couldn’t even come
near Dongju. Now, he was showing his true colors.
With his thick double eyelids glaring, the researchers, who had
spent their lives in chemical research, couldn’t possibly handle
him.
“Dr. Tikhonov, is the report you submitted true?”
“Eto pravda. (It’s true.)”
“Speak in Korean, not Russian!”
Though he wanted to kick him out right away, he was still a person
connected to the owner family.
Dr. Tikhonov wondered how on earth someone like him could be

Chairman Yoo’s offspring. He was itching to show the second son,
who was outright arrogant, the harsh reality of Mother Russia.
“Stop it.”
“What?”
“I said, stop it.”
Team Leader Kang appeared like a savior. He was Kang Hyun’s father
and the one entrusted with full authority over new material
development.
Even Yoo Beom-gyeong, who had been acting like an untamed rogue,
hesitated noticeably.
It was also because, as he had heard, there had been a

confrontation between the two.
“Kang, you’d better behave. How long do you think your father will
protect you? If you don’t want to end up empty-handed overnight,
you’d better start being good to the eldest brother. Ahem—!”
Yoo Beom-gyeong quickly left after saying what he wanted, perhaps

fearing another confrontation.
Team Leader Kang let out a deep sigh and bowed to the researchers.
It wasn’t even his fault, but still.
“Dr. Tikhonov, did he ask anything before leaving?”
“He asked about the commercialization potential of graphene. I

reported that the possibility is currently low. He seemed very
pleased.”
“Excuse me?”
Dr. Tikhonov answered in fluent Korean.
He wasn’t wrong. Graphene was still in its early development stage,

so its commercialization potential was naturally low.
However, based on the accumulated data, they would surely succeed

in commercialization in the future.
Finally understanding Dr. Tikhonov’s intentions, Team Leader Kang

smiled brightly.
“Yooha—!”
Michelle raised her hand high and approached with a big voice. Her
face was adorned with a full smile, likely because she had a date
with her boyfriend today.
“Michelle, do you smile like that even in front of Michael?”
“Why?”
“You shouldn’t show that you like the other person too much.”
Didn’t you learn that in Romance 101? Unless you’re going to have a
burning love like Romeo and Juliet for a week, you need to play it
cool and push and pull appropriately.
In that regard, the young Michelle seemed ready to give away her
heart and soul, with hearts in her eyes.
“Yooha, I’m going to the movies with my boyfriend today to watch

‘Paganini.’ It’s supposed to be really fun, and the reviews are
amazing.”
“Paganini?”
“Yes, it’s said that Alessandro is incredibly charming in it. It’s

a big hit. Yooha, you should go with Dean. Dean has asked you
several times to go to the movies with him.”
Everyone at the prestigious Phillips School knew that Son Yooha was
popular.
Despite her outstanding looks and excellent athletic skills, she

had repeatedly turned down advances from many admirers with cold
rejections. It was the same now.
Michelle, who was observing her from the side, clicked her tongue.
“Is it because of that person in Korea?”
“No, Dean is just unappealing.”
“Are you planning to go to Korea again for this winter break?”
Son Yooha shook her head. Although she wanted to return to Korea
every holiday starting from Thanksgiving, she couldn’t. She had not
only school classes but also had to learn imperial studies for
succession.
The only thing that had helped her endure the tough life in a
foreign country was perhaps a single photo in her wallet.
“I’ll definitely watch it with oppa.”
Didn’t they say that Kang Hyun was responsible for the sound
recording of the movie ‘Paganini’? Son Yooha vowed that she would
watch the movie with him someday.
On the other hand, she also felt resentful. He hadn’t even sent her
a letter.
“I’m really curious about the man that Yooha likes so much. All the
students at Phillips must feel the same. Who could have won the
heart of cold Yooha?” Michelle said with exaggerated hand gestures.
Although Son Yooha also wanted to see him, what could she do? They
were far apart in different countries.
As Son Yooha and Michelle moved toward the stairs outside the
school gate.
Huh?
Son Yooha’s steps halted on the staircase. She blinked repeatedly

as if she couldn’t believe her eyes.
She wondered if it was a side effect of staring too intently at the

photo in her wallet during break times, but it didn’t seem like it.
No matter how many times she blinked, someone was indeed standing
at the end of the long staircase, looking at her.
It was natural for Son Yooha to be this surprised.
“Hyun oppa?”
The Hyun oppa she had longed for was there.
Chapter 140
ZLOOD
2024-07-02
“Moscow?”
Isn’t it an amazing story?
“I heard he gave a lecture to the undergraduates and professors at

the Moscow Conservatory. The response was incredibly enthusiastic.
They even called violinist Hyun ‘the reincarnation of Tchaikovsky’
in Moscow.”
The senior professors at Juilliard all gasped in unison.
Everyone knew what the Moscow Conservatory represented: the pride

of the Russians, colder than the Siberian north wind, and
unforgiving to outsiders.
Moreover, everyone knew what Tchaikovsky meant to them.
“Especially, the director of the Moscow Conservatory, Alexei, was

very fond of violinist Hyun. It was said that the faculty, led by
Professor Anton, even suggested hiring violinist Hyun as a full
professor, which was unprecedented.”
“A full professor?”
“Yes, and what Professor Anton said was even more astonishing. When
the undergraduates demanded more of violinist Hyun’s lectures, he
said, ‘It would be a crime for such a brilliant musician to teach
the next generation. In the past, musicians taught because they
were starving. There’s even a saying that if Mozart had spent less
time teaching nobles, the history of music would have advanced
further.’”
For example, rumors tend to be exaggerated. You can see that from
how the nickname “Little Ghost” has changed to “the reincarnation
of Tchaikovsky.”
However, the statements by Alexei and Anton were true,
The words of the Russian maestro Alexei and the excellent professor
Anton were enough to stir the hearts of the senior professors at
Juilliard.
“As the head of the string department, I couldn’t sleep for several
nights after watching the movie about Paganini. Others must feel
the same as me. His violin playing was as captivating and dangerous
as if Paganini’s melodies had come back to life. Don’t you agree,
Karl?”
“Yes, Head Oliver.”
“Even Karl, who is stingy with praise and picky, acknowledges it,
so it’s unnecessary to say more about how remarkable his melodies
are. Frankly, I think we should give violinist Hyun a chance to
lecture at Juilliard. Even the highly proud and stubborn Moscow
opened its doors to him.”
The senior professors, who initially thought it was just a simple

music film, felt their hearts pounding at the technical screening.
They actually wanted to hear his melodies and meet him.
When Oliver heard him play at a Hollywood party, it felt like his
heart had stopped.
However, there was a problem.
“Head, won’t the director oppose it?”
From a musical perspective, violinist Hyun’s age was not a

favorable factor.
Juilliard’s director, Josef, thought so.
As his name suggests, the German-born musician was a person who

didn’t make any judgments without seeing and hearing things for
himself.
“Once our director meets violinist Hyun in person, he will change

his mind. He can no longer dismiss the rumors about him as mere
exaggerations.”
Michelle could hardly believe what she was seeing with her own
eyes. It was the first time she had seen Son Yooha’s face so
excited.
Who was she? Always the one with a cold expression like an ice
princess.
“Oppa—!”
At that moment, Son Yooha ran down the stairs as if she was about
to fall and threw herself into a man’s arms.
Her excited voice was so tickling to the ear that passing students
turned to look.
The man gently stroked Son Yooha’s head, as if it was a familiar

gesture.
Oh my.
Michelle covered her mouth with her hand at the sight, which looked
like a scene from a movie.
It was then that the man’s figure started to come into sharp focus
in Michelle’s eyes.
Although not very tall, he was a beautiful Asian man with a sharp
facial line.
His deep eyes and prominent nose beneath his wind-blown hair looked
like a painting.
“Yooha, I have to go now. Have a good time—!”
After being introduced to Kang Hyun by Son Yooha, Michelle

tactfully left them alone.
She was only two years older than Son Yooha, yet her every action
was full of grace. She seemed to exude an inexplicable aura.
“Oppa, do you want to look around our school?”
“School?”
“Yeah, we can get a visitor pass from the guard and look around!”
Son Yooha was as excited as a child visiting an amusement park for

the first time.
Her eyes, which resembled a proud cat, had turned into those of a
gentle puppy.
While they were wandering around the school, Hyun felt the
students’ glances directed at them.
“Yooha, are you famous at school?”
“Why?”
“It looks like all the students know you.”
Of course, how could they not? Son Yooha was a well-known queen bee
even at the prestigious Phillips.
Moreover, she had rejected all the guys who had approached her,
leading to rumors about her sexual orientation.
But seeing her now, she was clearly a girl in love, much to their
surprise.
“Oppa, how long will you stay in New York?”
“Not very long.”

Son Yooha hesitated and finally asked if they could watch a movie
together.
Kang Hyun found her so lovable and cute.
What could be the problem with watching a movie?
On the other hand, seeing Son Yooha so excited made Hyun want to
create new memories for her.
“Yooha, you won’t come to Korea during vacation anymore, right?”
“Yeah.”
“Since we won’t see each other often, I should play something for
you so you won’t forget me.”
Kang Hyun knew why Son Yooha couldn’t come to Korea during
vacation.
She was the heir to the Jeil Group. She had to study leadership and
other subjects with blood, sweat, and tears to strengthen her
position. If she showed even a moment of weakness, her cousins
would pounce on her like hyenas.
“This is the music room. I got permission to use it, but there’s no
violin.”
Son Yooha’s voice trailed off sadly. It was just her luck that all
the practice violins were out for repair.
Kang Hyun looked around the music room, which was as good as any
music college’s practice room. If it wasn’t for Son Yooha, he would
never have dreamed of visiting Phillips.
Then he saw a piano in the corner.
“That will do.”
“A piano?”
Kang Hyun sat on the piano bench and expertly removed the cover. It
was a well-tuned, pure white piano.
Kang Hyun looked at Son Yooha, who was standing idly, and patted
the bench beside him, signaling her to sit.
“I composed this piece while thinking of you, Yooha.”
Although Son Yooha had learned social music from a young age, she
wasn’t skilled enough to follow along without sheet music.
Knowing this, Kang Hyun placed his long fingers on the keys first.
Then he took Yooha’s left hand with his right and placed it on top
of his left hand.
Son Yooha’s eyes widened and her cheeks flushed at the sudden
contact.
Eventually, her white fingers rested on his long ones on the black
and white keys.
It was as if the upper hand was completely enveloped by the lower

hand, like being embraced.
“Paganini.”
The theater was packed with people who came to watch the movie
“Paganini,” which was reportedly doing well.
It was nice to enjoy a peaceful holiday like this. They still

needed time before hearing the final victory report from Barbara
Tannenbaum.
“Oppa, let’s get some caramel popcorn too—!”
Son Yooha was already fully excited. If he had known, he would have
taken her to various places in Korea as well.
At that moment, he noticed a huge poster with Alessandro’s face on

it.
The word of mouth was so good that the poster was several times
larger than the blockbuster movies released around the same time.
“They say the violin performance in the movie was done by an

unknown Asian boy.”
“No, I heard he’s a genius. He’s already famous in the classical

world. What was his name again?”
“Hyun?”
At that moment, he heard the voices of the audience who came to

watch the movie Paganini. He couldn’t help but feel his face heat
up.
On the other hand, Son Yooha looked like she was having the time of
her life.
She seemed to feel a sense of pride, as if boasting that the person

they were talking about was the man she was holding arms with.
“Wow.”
The movie was as amazing as it had been at the previous screening.

Especially when Paganini played the violin, the audience in the

theater stopped eating their popcorn and focused on the melody in
silence.
However, what caught his eye was Alessandro’s calluses. Even on the
movie screen, he could see how much effort he had put in.
At that moment,
‘Tsk.’
The audience member next to him kept muttering to himself. He even

occasionally gave a grim look at the movie’s Paganini.
Regardless of his expression, what about the noise pollution?
Even in the U.S., where movie culture had long been established,
there were people with no etiquette.
He wanted to say something, but he couldn’t ruin the moment when

everyone was engrossed in the melody of the movie.
“Paganini!”
Juilliard’s director, Josef, clicked his tongue at the movie

poster.
Other professors who had seen the movie couldn’t stop talking about
it, making his ears ring.
Moreover, the professors who had heard the boy play at a party were
all saying unbelievable things.
They said it felt like Paganini had come back to life.
It must have been the champagne exaggerating their perception of

the melody.
“Violinist Hyun.”
Josef was familiar with the name. He had caused quite a stir in the
classical world a few years ago. There were even rumors that he was
the reincarnation of Mozart.
But Josef didn’t easily believe anything unless he saw and heard it
with his own eyes and ears. Rumors were always absurd.
Even so, he came to watch the movie because he had some doubts.
“Head Oliver recommended him so highly, hmm.”
The head had praised him so much that his mouth was dry.
And it wasn’t just him; even the professors who were usually stingy
with praise were making a fuss about violinist Hyun, so it was hard
not to be interested.
Let’s see how good he really is. With this mindset, Josef entered
the theater.
Crunch.
However, as the movie progressed, Josef’s wrinkled hands clenched

tightly. His reaction was similar to that of the other professors.
Perhaps he was even more astonished than they were. Josef also
specialized in the violin.
His eyes and ears were already captivated by the melody beyond the
screen, and his lips kept muttering Paganini’s phrases
unconsciously.
He felt the gaze of the boy sitting next to him, but what could he
do? Normally, Josef would have cared about his image, but not now.
It felt like someone had poured cold water over him.
As Paganini’s melody continued and his bowing repeated, Josef’s

heart kept pounding for the unseen performer.
Even after the movie ended, no one moved. Everyone was still lost
in deep reverie.
At that moment.
“A pen!”
As soon as the movie ended, Josef immediately took out a pen and a
blank sheet of music from his bag.
The last piece was said to be an arrangement by violinist Hyun,

inspired by Paganini’s work.
It was so extensively recreated that many musicians doubted their

ears.
Josef began to draw notes, recalling the melody he had just heard.
The reason was simple. He wanted to hear that piece again.
As he drew the notes without hesitation, he suddenly paused.

Although he had drawn the notes, something felt off. It felt like
he had made a mistake.
He furrowed his brows and focused, but the melody didn’t come to
him anymore. Of course, it was amazing that he had managed to draw
so many notes relying solely on his memory.
At that moment, as Josef stared intently at the sheet music,

“This part is wrong.”
The boy sitting next to him pointed to a part of the sheet music
with his finger.
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For The Musical Genius

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For the Musical Genius

“Did Paganini play the piano?”

Of course, it was not uncommon for children learning music to study

“He was as skillful as Calvin?”

It was an unbelievable story. Who was Calvin? He was one of

“It’s hard to believe, Maestro.”

“Maestro, with all due respect, there is no historical record of

“I am aware, director. This is also a story I heard from my dear

It is too detailed to be dismissed as mere fantasy.

“After giving up the piano, Calvin dedicated himself to teaching

“Calvin reportedly told his student, ‘Niccolò Paganini was blessed

Movie sets involve numerous staff members. Like Adam Smith’s

Jean-Pierre furrowed his brows. He seemed dissatisfied with the

“Mr. Alessandro, how would you act it out?”

Alessandro shook his head with a regretful expression. Even a

“Noona, do you have a moment?”

I vividly remembered the scene of Paganini from my past life. Even

Surely, this single cut could…

“This scene might change your career, noona.”

She would later become an actress who graced the Oscars.

Thud, thud, thud

“How did you do that, violinist Hyun?”

Alessandro approached me and subtly asked. I feigned ignorance and

Before I could answer…

It was an invitation to dinner from the eternal maestro, Gustav.

It clearly reflected Gustav’s character.

“Hyun-ah, does this dress look okay?”

“Hyun-ah, try this on and show me.”

I felt like I had gone back to my childhood. Director Im Hyera kept

I couldn’t help but exclaim when I saw Alessandro’s suit. He looked

“It seems the two Paganinis are in sync.”

Actress Martina covered her mouth and laughed heartily. I wanted to

“There’s not much prepared, but please enjoy.”

Gustav, in a wheelchair, greeted us. Despite his words, the table

As for the wine, it was the Grand Emitamire, a top-tier Austrian

“My father is from Austria. So today, I’ve prepared Viennese home-

With Gustav’s joke, the dinner began.

Just as Gustav said, the food was delicious, surpassing even

At that moment, Gustav, smiling like a kind grandfather, looked at

“Does the young maestro find the food to his taste?”

“It’s an honor to be invited, Maestro. Especially this special

Tafelspitz is an Austrian traditional dish made by boiling rump

“You know about Austria’s representative dish? It seems the young

“I once had it at a restaurant serving Austrian cuisine in Russia.

My quick thinking seemed to be getting better. By the time the

“This villa in Italy was a building I painstakingly constructed. It

It was a tragic story. But the passage of time was inevitable.

At that moment, Gustav turned his head slightly toward me.

“Young maestro, would you be so kind as to perform for us here?”

It was a sudden request, but how could I refuse? Especially after

“No need to worry, there are plenty of instruments in my villa.”

As soon as he finished speaking, several instrument cases were

As mentioned earlier, it truly lived up to the name of the eternal

“Maestro, may I use this instrument?”

“You have a good eye. ‘Lyra’ is a good choice, as it is an ancient

As the name suggested, it was a very old instrument. Such an

Gustav watched me with a peculiar smile.

The instrument was said to be played by Apollo, the god of music.

Like the figure of a beautiful woman without a thread of clothing,