Double Junk - 40

Chapter 40

“This guy…”

“Myungjin, it’s okay. I’ll handle the greetings.”

Seokju patted Myungjin’s back reassuringly. Myungjin, annoyed, stuck out his tongue and stepped back. Seokju looked at Jin-geol, who was sitting on the bed.

“Thank you.”

“…You’re welcome.”

Jin-geol cast a sideways glance. Seokju smiled faintly.

“Actually, I wanted to ask something.”

Jin-geol raised his eyebrows. Seokju unfolded his legs, leaning forward, and asked in his usual low voice.

“Do we know each other?”

“Yes?”

“I mean, I’m not sure. Were we originally on friendly terms?”

“No, we weren’t.”

“But why did you take the hit for me?”

Seokju coolly fixed his gaze on Jin-geol. It was a question about why someone who wasn’t a friend or a family member would take a knife for him. Jin-geol swallowed dryly. He had been restlessly fiddling with the rough blanket, but he met Seokju’s gaze.

“Maybe you thought I’d give you money?”

“What?”

“Even if I’m just a guy making a day’s living, I don’t want to live like this my whole life.”

Myungjin sighed as if he couldn’t believe it. On the other hand, Seokju smiled as if he found it amusing. He tapped his knee with his index finger and asked again.

“Money. Good, money.”

“But I’ve seen plenty of guys who stake their lives on money. When it comes down to choosing between money and their lives, they always choose their lives. When you’re dead, money becomes worthless.”

“….”

“I’ve seen it countless times. People who live for money. In the end, when their lives are on the line, they choose their lives. They think money is worthless if they’re dead.”

“….”

“So, I’m curious. Why did you choose money instead of your life?”

Seokju’s dark eyes stared sharply at Jin-geol. Jin-geol, with chapped lips, hesitated. Then, with a short sigh, he finally gave his answer.

“I tried gambling once.”

“Gambling?”

“Yes. I staked my life on money.”

“….”

“But I don’t think I can do it again. There was blood everywhere, screams, gunshots, cursing, crazy people dancing like shamans with knives… I just threw my body in because I didn’t want to experience that again.”

“….”

“That’s why. Will you give me the money?”

Jin-geol met Seokju’s gaze. His slightly smaller-than-average pupils looked sunken. They were filled with a light sense of fear and unease. Seokju, staring intently at those eyes, got up from his chair.

“Sure. Come to the office when you’re discharged. I’ll give you the money. You can bring your guys with you.”

“Thank you.”

Jin-geol nodded with a slight bow of his head. His face showed signs of pain as he groaned. Seokju observed Jin-geol and sighed softly. He’d decide later whether to recruit him or not. Regardless, Seokju could offer him money as compensation for the injuries he sustained on his account.

“Take care of yourself. See you later.”

Seokju finished speaking and signaled to Myungjin. Myungjin quickly went to the exit and opened the door. As Seokju got up from his chair and approached the door.

“Boss.”

Jin-geol called out to him. Seokju stopped in his tracks.

“I have something to tell you.”

Seokju turned his head halfway. Jin-geol, still clutching his injured abdomen under the blanket, spoke with a solemn tone.

“Do you know how the drug dealers found that factory?”

“…It sounds like you know.”

“Yes.”

Seokju’s face tensed, creasing into a frown.

A brief [flash of light appeared and then disappeared]*

The once-green leaves began to turn a dark crimson color, falling one by one. Earlier, when he swept the yard, it was just dust flying around, but nowadays, leaves had started to accumulate in large numbers. Ajin had to vigorously wield the broom to clear the area, and when he finished one spot, more leaves would fall behind him.

“I told you that if you didn’t want to work, you could just say so to the boss, but…”

Ajin mumbled to himself as he vigorously swept his palm through the air. Seokju had said he would let him relax and have fun for the rest of his life, so if he didn’t want to work, all he had to do was speak up.

If he wanted, he could come into his own room and study writing, or he could read the children’s fairy tale books stacked there. Seokju had filled one side of the neatly organized cabinet with chocolates and candies, telling him to take and eat whenever he wanted. He had also requested kisses in return for every time he indulged.

Ajin was tempted by these offerings every hour, but he still managed to resist.

“People need to know their place.”

It was something the Flower Lady had said. If he were to dance with joy at Seokju’s words, he wouldn’t last long. The comfort and luxury Seokju provided didn’t fit Ajin’s place. It was enough to enjoy them only at night, when he was with him.

As Ajin was sweeping vigorously…

“Ajin!”

Isunyi’s face popped out of the kitchen and called to him. Ajin quickly turned around. She gestured for him to come over.

“Come here and help me!”

“Okay!”

Ajin grabbed the broom and hurried into the kitchen.

The kitchen was like a battlefield. Everyone, regardless of gender, was moving around busily. Someone was roasting meat, someone was boiling soup, someone was chopping vegetables, and someone else was vigorously wiping and polishing the dishes.

It was because orders had been given to prepare meticulously as guests were coming today.

Ajin was assigned to the frying station. With chopsticks in hand, he lightly coated thinly sliced beef with flour and then dipped it in the egg wash. Isunyi then picked it up and laid it out on a wide pan.

As they were making yukjeon, the sounds of the sizzling oil in the factory started to rise, and the ends of the banchan began to bubble.

“Is it the first time guests have come to this house?”

“Yes. Unless they want to die in a gangster den, who would come?”

“Damn it. Who the hell is coming that’s making this big fuss?”

“Maybe someone important is coming?”

“Is our boss trying to get into politics? Is he going to run for president in the next election?”

“What gangster becomes a president?”

“Why not? He’s good at business and smart, and he treats us well.”

“Did you see that incident last week with that jerk Doyaji?”

“That was his fault…”

“That… you know. I heard what the members were saying.”

“Why? What did you hear?”

“They said the Jung-ho faction is coming.”

At that statement, all the attention in the kitchen turned to the person who had just spoken. The banchan took a deep breath. Ajin also inhaled deeply, his chest swelling.

The Jung-ho faction was coming. The banchan didn’t like them. No, probably any citizen of Seoul would dislike them. If they didn’t like something, they’d hit, smash, harass passing women, and pick on children and the elderly alike. They were like despicable vermin who relied only on their strength to act recklessly.

Even when he was at the gambling den, they occasionally came for collection, and every time they did, the banchan and the prostitutes would hide in the corners, trying not to be noticed.

“What!”

“Is it true?”

“If the Jung-ho faction is coming, is their leader coming? I’ve never seen the boss.”

“Me neither. Has anyone seen them?”

“I know the name. What was it? Park something.”

“Park Ki-heon, Park Ki-heon. The gambling den owner used to curse him from behind all the time.”

“Yeah, Park Ki-heon.”

“Why is he coming here? Isn’t it like a warzone?”

The members jolted with anticipation. They were ready to hide or even run at a moment’s notice. Ajin clenched his lower lip. The thugs from the Jung-ho faction were different from the thugs they usually encountered. If you got hit by them, the pain would linger for a week. Even when he was at the gambling den, he was hit frequently due to his lame leg.

Ajin’s face turned grim. The thugs in the Jung-ho faction were known to be ruthless. The Flower Lady pounded the lid of the pot behind the nation.

“You guys, stop chattering and start roasting meat! Why would you want to argue with each other if you’re going to fight with knives? They’re probably just like other businessmen and want to sit down and eat politely.”

At the Flower Lady’s words, the thugs all nodded, “Ah,” with their mouths wide open. Then they nodded and focused on their tasks again. As Ajin placed another piece of beef onto the flour…

Clang, clang, clang!

The gong rang. It meant Seokju had arrived.

The thugs got up hesitantly. They wiped their hands on their aprons and adjusted their disheveled clothes. Then, the kitchen’s side door connecting to the main dining room swung open, and one of the members appeared.

“The boss said that only men should come out to greet him. He wants only men to serve the food.”

The thugs mumbled to each other. The member urged them, knocking on the door.

“Hurry up!”

At that, the male thugs rushed out of the kitchen. They didn’t know what to do and just rolled their eyes when they heard the members’ conversation.

“Are we allowed to stay here?”

“Should we be here?”

The thugs were restless and uneasy about the presence of the Jung-ho faction. Their thuggery was in a different league altogether. If you got into a fight with them, your body would be sore for days. Even when Ajin was at the gambling den, he was often beaten due to his lame leg.

The Flower Lady watched Ajin as he moved away.

As usual, Ajin was the last to arrive. He lined up with the other male thugs. In a matter of seconds, the door opened, and black cars rumbled in with their engines growling loudly.

There were many cars. It was a grand entrance as always. They had to park cars not only in the usual side yard but also in the front yard.

Ajin squinted his eyes against the flashing headlights. Soon, all the cars had parked, and the door opened. The first to step out was Seokju. He wore a black suit with a long overcoat. When he appeared, not only the organization members but also the thugs bowed their heads.

Ajin had a fleeting thought as he watched the bright headlights, then quickly shut his eyes. All the cars had entered, and the door opened. Those who got out first were the members, and the thugs all bowed their heads.

Seokju’s arrival in the elegant black suit marked the beginning of a significant event for the Flower Lady’s organization.