Pagi-pagi sekali, Ga-on bertolak ke Pyeongtaek. Akhirnya, ia akan membeli mobil dari seorang eksportir mobil bekas yang sudah dikenalnya baik—ia akan segera mengakhiri hidupnya sebagai pejalan kaki purnawaktu. Ia menyusuri deretan mobil bekas yang berjejer untuk diekspor. "Yang ini berapa?" Saat ia menunjuk sebuah SUV besar, Kim Jin-seok langsung menjawab, seolah sudah menunggu pertanyaan itu. "Aku membelinya seharga 1,5 juta, tapi karena ini untuk Presiden Im Ga-on sendiri, aku kasih harga murah—1,6!" Kim Jin-seok, yang sudah bertahun-tahun mengekspor mobil bekas Korea melalui lelang, telah mengenal Ga-on selama sekitar empat tahun. Awalnya, ia mendatangi Ga-on untuk menawar harga oli mesin impor curah agar lebih murah. Biaya perawatan yang rendah itu membantunya meraup untung besar. Ia juga membeli banyak suku cadang mobil kualitas menengah dari portofolio Ga-on dan, tidak seperti eksportir mobil bekas pada umumnya, bisnisnya berkembang pesat. Kini, ia menjalankan tempat pembuangan mobil sekaligus bengkel. Singkatnya, pria itu sedang mengeruk uang dengan sekop. Ga-on tidak punya belas kasihan untuk orang seperti itu. "900." "...Berapa?" "900. Aku ambil." "Kau merampokku! Ini SUV besar!" "Kalau tidak mau jual, ya sudah." Ga-on tahu persis kondisi mobil itu saat di pelelangan. Jarak tempuh 150.000 km, model tahun 2007. Pemakaian berat untuk usianya, goresan di mana-mana. Bahkan setelah dicat ulang, bekas-bekas yang tersisa menunjukkan bahwa mobil itu hampir jadi rongsokan saat dibeli. Namun, catatan performanya menunjukkan mesin, *powertrain*, dan komponen internalnya dalam kondisi yang sangat baik. "Eksteriornya hancur karena tabrakan, tapi bagian dalamnya sempurna, kan? Siapa pun bisa lihat." "Cih... matamu tajam di tempat yang salah! Baiklah, 900. Tunai?" "Tunai." Kim Jin-seok menggelengkan kepala seolah baru saja dirampok. "Serius deh... orang kaya itu memang paling pelit." "Memangnya aku kenapa?" "Aku dengar kau sedang untung besar sebagai agen operator sekarang! Berapa komisi yang kau dapat?" "Hei, jangan bicara keras-keras begitu." "Kalau punya uang, ya dibelanjakan! Orang lain pasti sudah teriak-teriak ingin beli Porsche!" "Ini mobil operasional. Buat apa beli yang terlalu bagus? Mubazir." Begitu seseorang punya uang, pola pikirnya berubah. Jika Ga-on kaya karena keberuntungan atau tanpa kerja keras, mungkin ia sudah membeli Porsche. Namun sekarang, ia tahu ia bisa melangkah lebih jauh—menghasilkan lebih banyak lagi. Mobil mewah hanya akan membuang waktu, emosi, dan fokus. "Kalau beli mobil baru, harus tunggu tiga bulan. Belakangan ini, bisa sampai setengah tahun. Siapa yang punya waktu sebanyak itu? Aku cuma butuh sesuatu yang tangguh dan bisa diandalkan." "Benar juga. Dan hei, mobil ini dulunya SUV andalan dalam negeri!" "Tepat sekali." "Ya sudah, pakai baik-baik. Soal perbaikan atau ganti suku cadang, aku yang urus. Bawa saja ke sini." "Benarkah? Itu terlalu berlebihan." "Kalau begitu bayar ongkos kerjanya saja. Lagipula, suku cadang di tempatku menumpuk!" Meski begitu, Kim Jin-seok tetap setia. Penawarannya bukan sekadar basa-basi—meski tentu saja, ia mungkin punya udang di balik batu. 'Tapi dia pebisnis sampai ke tulang-tulangnya.' Dan pebisnis itu sederhana—percayalah pada mereka sampai batas tertentu, maka mereka akan memperlakukanmu dengan baik. "Oh iya, kau kenal dealer mobil baru juga, kan?" "Mobil baru? Ya, kenapa?" "Aku butuh kau menghubungkanku. Aku harus mendapatkan mobil baru dengan cepat." "Mobil baru? Bukannya kau baru saja beli? Mau beli lagi?" "Ya. Untuk adikku." Siang harinya, Ga-on berkendara lagi. Di tangannya ada rekening koran. [Total Hutang: 453.230.000 KRW] [Lunas] Keluarganya telah meminjam dari bank tingkat pertama, kedua, ketiga, bahkan rentenir—lebih dari 450 juta won. Itu terjadi saat ayahnya berjuang melawan penyakit dan bisnis kecilnya bangkrut. Biaya rumah sakit, biaya hidup... semuanya atas nama ibunya, jadi mereka bahkan tidak bisa menolak warisan hutang itu. Bisnis itu tetap bertahan dengan kartu kredit—bisa bertahan selama ini saja sudah merupakan keajaiban. "Hutang terkutuk ini menghancurkan hidup tiga orang." Kini, akhirnya, rantai hutang yang tak berujung itu telah putus. Dadanya terasa lega. "Aku bebas." Ia telah merebut kembali kebebasannya. Sekarang saatnya menikmatinya. Kemudian, ia menjemput ibu dan adiknya lalu mulai berkendara. "Kita mau ke mana?" "Nanti juga tahu." Ia menuju kompleks apartemen di dekat Jamsilnaru, tempat agen Kim Mi-yeon sudah menunggu. "Pemandangan tepi sungainya luar biasa di sini. Ada rumah sakit besar tepat di sebelahnya juga." "Kau tahu kan betapa mahalnya daerah ini...?" "Tidak apa-apa. Ayo." Beberapa hari sebelumnya, ia mendengar bahwa unit apartemen bertingkat tinggi yang baru di dekat Jamsilnaru baru saja dipasarkan—dan ia langsung membayar uang mukanya. Ia kini punya cukup uang untuk membeli apartemen seharga 800–900 juta won. Namun, ibu dan adiknya tidak bisa memproses informasi itu. "Hei, Im Ga-on, ada apa ini? Kenapa kau bertingkah seperti ini?" "Nanti juga tahu kalau sudah lihat." "Beri tahu kami sebelum kita pergi!" Adiknya khawatir ia melakukan sesuatu yang gegabah lagi. Di rumah, ia tetaplah si bungsu—meskipun di luar ia adalah pebisnis yang sedang naik daun. Gaeun juga terkejut. Rumah seharga hampir satu miliar won? Ga-on membuka aplikasi perbankannya dan menunjukkannya kepada mereka. [Nasabah: Im Ga-on] [Saldo: 2.231.770.000 KRW] [Penarikan penuh tersedia] "...Apa ini?" "Aku berhenti dari pekerjaanku dan mulai bisnis sendiri. Semuanya berjalan lancar." "Hah?! Bagaimana bisa seseorang menghasilkan lebih dari 2 miliar won begitu saja?!" "Ini? Belum semuanya. Aku juga memulai bisnis pemesanan golf. Lebih dari 150 pelanggan masuk per minggu." "Apa maksudnya itu?" Ga-on menyeringai. "Artinya, kita baik-baik saja." Ibu dan adiknya saling bertukar pandang dengan bingung. Tepat saat itu, agen properti Kim Mi-yeon berlari keluar. "Bos~~! Ya ampun, ibu dan adikmu cantik sekali! Aku iri!" "Senang bertemu denganmu." "Ya! Saya sudah membersihkan semuanya sendiri. *Wallpaper* baru, AC sistem, penyimpanan *built-in*, kulkas, mesin cuci, pengering, induksi—semuanya sudah termasuk! Anda tinggal pasang bidet, TV, dan penjernih air!" "Bagus. Ayo masuk." Ibu dan adiknya masih tampak terpaku. Ga-on menarik mereka pelan. "Anakmu ini menghasilkan banyak uang, tahu? Ayo!" "Ya ampun... Ibu tidak mengerti semua ini." Mereka mengikutinya, masih tidak percaya. Di lantai 21, unit seluas 32 pyeong menanti mereka. "Ini kompleks hunian serbaguna. Pemandangan selatan adalah Danau Seokchon, utara adalah Sungai Han. Total 39 lantai. Dua tempat parkir per rumah!" "Bagaimana... bagaimana kau bisa membeli tempat seperti ini..." Ga-on melepas sepatunya dan menuntun mereka masuk. Interior modern, jendela lebar, Sungai Han mengalir tenang di bawah. Pemandangan sungai yang sempurna. "Penjual akan menanggung sebagian besar biaya. Kalian hanya perlu mengurus pajak balik nama dan pajak perolehan." "Bagaimana menurut Ibu?" Ibunya melangkah mundur. "I-ibu tidak suka tempat seperti ini. Terlalu dingin, terlalu banyak angin—" "Sudah terlambat. Aku sudah bayar uang mukanya." "...Kau anak yang gegabah!" "Tidak apa-apa. Aku mampu." Ia menoleh ke adiknya. "Bagaimana menurutmu?" "...Yah." "Yah?" "......" "Dik?" Gaeun menoleh tajam—dan ia menangis. "Apa? Kau menangis?! Serius?" "...Aku tidak tahu kenapa..." Ga-on menggaruk kepalanya. "Aku tidak bermaksud membuatmu menangis. Ayo, jangan menangis sekarang." "Lalu... apakah hutang kita...?" "Semua sudah lunas." "Hiks..." Bagi seorang adik yang bisa menangis karena kesuksesan kakaknya—ia adalah orang yang harus ia lindungi pertama kali. Saat ia melihat ke samping, mata ibunya juga merah. "...Anakku. Kau melunasi hutang ayahmu. Ibu bisa mati tanpa penyesalan sekarang." "Jangan bicara begitu. Ibu akan menikmati hidup mulai sekarang." Bahkan agen properti, Kim Mi-yeon, mulai menangis. "Hiks! Sangat mengharukan!" "...Kenapa kau yang menangis?" "Ini mengharukan!! Hiks. Ibu, peluk saya sekali, tolong!!" "Ah... baiklah, sini." Memang mengharukan. Ga-on menyerahkan pembayaran terakhir. "Mari kita selesaikan transaksinya." Dari asetnya yang berjumlah 2,6 miliar won, ia menghabiskan 900 juta untuk apartemen dan 450 juta untuk hutang keluarga. Sekitar 1,1 miliar tersisa—dan ia berencana mengembangkannya sepuluh kali, seratus kali lipat. 'Hidup yang menyedihkan berakhir di sini.' Awal yang baru dimulai hari ini. Beberapa hari kemudian— Keluarga itu menetap di rumah baru mereka. Peralatan baru—kulkas, mesin pencuci piring, penyedot debu, TV—memenuhi ruangan. Ibu Ga-on memperhatikan dalam diam. Malam itu— Ia meletakkan foto mendiang suaminya di meja rias yang dibelikan Ga-on. Hanya ada sebotol losion di meja rias itu, tetapi dengan wajah suaminya yang tersenyum di sana, rasanya sudah penuh. Ia meletakkan sebotol *makgeolli* dan sepiring *jokbal* di atas meja. "...Ayah Gaeun. Anak kita sudah sukses. Lihat rumah ini... semua peralatan ini..." Sukacita dan kesedihan bercampur di wajahnya. Ia menuangkan secangkir minuman dan meletakkan sumpit di atas *jokbal*. "Kau dulu suka *jokbal* rebus buatanku. Minumlah bersamaku." Ia telah menghindari alkohol selama bertahun-tahun, takut kehilangan kendali bisa merusak anak-anaknya. Namun malam ini, ia ingin minum satu gelas. "Bagaimana anak kita bisa tumbuh sehebat ini...? Ibu tidak pernah tahu apakah Ibu bisa melunasi hutang ini... Ibu harap kau masih hidup untuk merasakan kebahagiaan ini bersama kami..." Rasa bangga, bersalah, kasih sayang, dan kesedihan muncul sekaligus. Hari itu sulit namun indah. Ga-on memperhatikan dari jauh. Ia berbalik dengan tenang. 'Hutang? Tidak... itu hanya pembayaran kecil untuk seluruh hidupnya.' Ia ingin mengatakan banyak hal—tapi ia menelannya. Terkadang, diam adalah hadiah terbesar.
Bab 17
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Early in the morning, Ga-on headed to Pyeongtaek. He was finally buying a car from a used-car export dealer he knew well — escaping his life as a full-time pedestrian. He walked through rows of used cars lined up for export. “How much is this one?” When he pointed at a large SUV, Kim Jin-seok answered instantly, as if waiting for the question. “I bought it for 1.5 million, but since it’s President Im Ga-on himself, I’ll give it to you cheap—1.6!” Kim Jin-seok, who had been exporting used Korean cars through auctions for years, had known Ga-on for about four years. He first came to Ga-on to haggle for cheaper imported bulk engine oil. Those cheap maintenance costs helped him earn fat profits. He also bought many medium-quality auto parts from Ga-on’s portfolio and, unusually for a used-car exporter, grew his business enormously. Now he ran both a junkyard and an auto repair shop. In short — the man was raking in money with a shovel. Ga-on had zero mercy for people like that. “900.” “…How much?” “900. I’ll take it.” “You’re robbing me blind! It’s a big SUV!” “If you don’t want to sell, that’s fine.” Ga-on roughly knew what condition the car had been in at auction. 150,000 km mileage, 2007 model year. Heavy use for its age, scratches everywhere. Even after repainting, the leftover marks suggested it had been practically junk when purchased. But the performance record showed the engine, powertrain, and internal parts were all in surprisingly good condition. “The exterior’s wrecked from a crash, but the inside’s perfectly fine, right? Anyone can tell.” “Tch… your eyes are sharp in all the wrong ways! Fine, 900. Cash?” “Cash.” Kim Jin-seok shook his head like he’d just been mugged. “Seriously… people with money really are the stingiest.” “What did I do?” “I heard you’re making a killing as an offer agent now! How much are you earning in commissions?” “Hey, don’t say stuff like that out loud.” “You should spend money if you make money! Other people would be screaming to buy a Porsche!” “It’s a business car. What’s the point of buying something too nice? A waste.” Once you earn money, your mindset changes. If Ga-on had gotten rich by luck or without hardship, maybe he would’ve bought a Porsche. But now he knew he could go much further — earn much more. Luxury cars would only waste time, emotion, and focus. “If you try buying a new car, you have to wait three months. These days, up to half a year. Who has time for that? I just need something strong and reliable.” “That’s true. And hey, this thing used to be a flagship domestic SUV!” “Exactly.” “Anyway, ride it well. Repairs, part replacements — I’ll handle it. Just bring it to me.” “Really? That feels too much.” “Then just pay labor. I have piles of parts in the junkyard anyway!” Even so, Kim Jin-seok was loyal. His offer wasn’t an empty gesture — though, of course, he probably had some ulterior motive. ‘But he’s a businessman down to the bone.’ And businessmen are simple — trust them to a certain line, and they treat you well. “Oh right — you know new-car dealers too, right?” “New cars? Yeah, why?” “I need you to connect me. I need to get a new car fast.” “A new car? Didn’t you just buy one? You buying another one?” “Yeah. For my sister.” Later that morning, Ga-on drove out again. In his hand was a bank statement. [Total Debt: 453,230,000 KRW] [Paid in Full] His family had borrowed from 1st-tier banks, 2nd-tier banks, 3rd-tier lenders, and even private lenders — over 450 million won. It happened while his father was battling illness and his small business collapsed. Hospital fees, living costs… all in his mother’s name, so they couldn’t even refuse the inheritance. The business had been kept alive with credit cards — surviving this long was a miracle. “This damned debt ruined three people’s lives.” Now, finally, the chain of endless debt had broken. His chest felt wide open. “I’m free.” He had reclaimed freedom. Now it was time to enjoy it. Later, he picked up his mother and sister and began driving. “Where are we going?” “You’ll see.” He headed to an apartment complex near Jamsilnaru, where the agent Kim Mi-yeon was already waiting. “The riverside view is amazing here. A big hospital right next door too.” “Do you know how expensive this area is…?” “It’s fine. Come on.” A few days earlier, he heard that a brand-new high-rise unit near Jamsilnaru had come on the market — and he immediately paid the deposit. He now had enough to buy an 800–900 million won apartment. But his mother and sister simply could not process it. “Hey, Im Ga-on, what’s going on? Why are you acting like this?” “You’ll know when we see it.” “Tell us before we go!” His sister worried he was doing something reckless again. At home, he was still the youngest — even if outside he was a rising businessman. Gaeun was shocked too. A home worth nearly a billion won? Ga-on opened his banking app and showed them. [Customer: Im Ga-on] [Balance: 2,231,770,000 KRW] [Full withdrawal available] “…What is this?” “I quit my job and started my own business. It’s going well.” “Huh?! How does someone earn over 2 billion won just like that?!” “This? Not even all of it yet. I also started a golf-booking business. Over 150 customers come in per week .” “What does that even mean?” Ga-on grinned. “It means we’re doing fine.” Mother and sister exchanged bewildered glances. Just then, realtor Kim Mi-yeon came running out. “Boss~~! Oh my gosh, your mother and sister are so pretty! I’m jealous!” “Good to see you.” “Yes! I cleaned everything myself. Wallpaper is new, system A/C, built-in storage, fridge, washer, dryer, induction — all included! You just need to install a bidet, TV, and water purifier!” “Great. Let’s go in.” Mother and sister still looked frozen. Ga-on tugged them lightly. “This son made a lot of money, you know? Come on!” “Oh, dear… I don’t understand any of this.” They followed him, still in disbelief. On the 21st floor, a 32-pyeong unit waited for them. “It’s a mixed-use complex. South view is Seokchon Lake, north is the Han River. 39 floors in total. Two parking spots per household!” “How… how can you buy something like this…” Ga-on kicked off his shoes and guided them inside. Modern interior, wide windows, the Han River flowing calmly below. Perfect river view. “The seller will cover most costs. You only need to handle transfer tax and acquisition tax.” “How is it?” His mother stepped back. “M-mom doesn’t like places like this. Too cold, too drafty—” “Too late. I already paid the deposit.” “…You reckless boy!” “It’s fine. I can afford it.” He turned to his sister. “What do you think?” “…Well.” “Well?” “……” “Sis?” Gaeun turned her head sharply — and she was crying. “What? Are you crying?! Seriously?” “…I don’t know why…” Ga-on scratched his head. “It wasn’t my intention to make you cry. Come on, don’t cry now.” “Then… is our debt…?” “All paid off.” “ sniff …” To a sister who could cry at her brother’s success — she was the person he should protect first. When he looked beside her, his mother’s eyes were red too. “…My son. You paid off your father’s debt. I can die without regret now.” “Don’t say that. You’re going to enjoy life from now on.” Even the realtor, Kim Mi-yeon, began crying. “ Sob! It’s so touching!” “…Why are you crying?” “It’s touching!! sob Mother, hug me once please!!” “Ah… fine, come here.” It was touching. Ga-on handed her the final payment. “Let’s finish the closing.” Of his 2.6 billion won in assets, he spent 900 million on the apartment and 450 million on family debt. About 1.1 billion remained — and he planned to grow it tenfold, a hundredfold. ‘The miserable life ends here.’ A new beginning started today. A few days later— The family settled into their new home. New appliances — fridge, dishwasher, vacuum, TV — filled the space. Ga-on’s mother watched silently. That night— She placed a photo of her late husband on the vanity Ga-on had bought her. Only a single bottle of lotion sat on the vanity, but with her husband's smiling face there, it felt full. She placed a bottle of rice wine and a plate of jokbal on the table. “…Ga-eun’s father. Our son succeeded. Look at this home… all these appliances…” Joy and sorrow mixed across her face. She poured a cup of wine and placed chopsticks on the jokbal. “You loved my boiled jokbal. Have a drink with me.” She had avoided alcohol all these years, afraid losing control might ruin the children. But tonight, she wanted one drink. “How did our son grow so much…? I never knew if I could ever repay this debt… I wish you were alive to feel this joy with us…” Pride, guilt, affection, sadness all welled up at once. It had been a difficult but beautiful day. Watching her from afar was Ga-on. He quietly turned away. ‘Debt? No… it was just a small repayment for all of her life.’ He wanted to say so much — but he swallowed it. Sometimes, silence is the greatest gift.
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