Chapter - 2
Kim Taehyung stood there, hidden, for a while. He took a deep breath, tucked his emotions neatly away, walked out from his corner and slowly descended.
Kim go-eun (Ma)
(Upon seeing her beloved little son coming down the stairs, Taehyung’s mother hurriedly walked to him and asked) “Tae, how come you’re up so late? Are you hungry? Aunt Yang? Aunt Yang! Quick, bring out Tae’s breakfast!”
However, the moment Ma got near to Taehyung, she immediately noticed Taehyung’s red eyes. It was as if he’d been crying. Her tender mother’s heart throbbed in pain. Her whole body quivered. She stretched her hands out to his face in panic.
Kim go-eun (Ma)
“TaeTae, what is it? Are you still unhappy? Is there anything you can’t tell me? Who upset you? Tell me. I’ll help you deal with them, okay?”
Kim Taehyung
(Taehyung held tight to his mother’s outstretched hands. At the sight of his panicked mother, he couldn’t hold his tears in anymore. With tears rolling down his face, he held his mother close and muttered in a low voice)“Ma, I’m sorry…I’m sorry…Sis…I’m sorry…”
Ma went from panicked to flustered. Kim Ji-eun quickly walked over with a frosty face.
Kim ji-eun
“Tae, tell it to me straight. Did someone bully you? Who? Tell me! Let him see how this woman will break his leg!” (Her voice was imperious and fierce, but her hands were gentle as they patted Taehyung’s back to comfort him.)
Kim go-eun (Ma)
(At this point, Ma was too worried to bother arguing with her daughter over her crude way of speaking.) “Yes, Tae. Tell mother, what did you go through? Do you wish to kill your mother out of heartache?”
Kim Taehyung
(After some time, Taehyung’s emotions finally calmed down again. To his mother’s and sister’s questions, he can only mutely shake his head. How would he even phrase what happened?)
Kim Taehyung
(But how could Ma and Ji-eun be willing to let it go? Finally, Taehyung gave into the persistent interrogation and replied) “I’m really fine. I just got frightened by a nightmare.”
Kim go-eun (Ma)
(Annoyed, Ma said) “Don’t you dare try and distract me. What kind of nightmare can scare you to such a state?”
Kim ji-eun
(Even Ji-eun eyeballed him. Her face seemed to be saying) “You’re lying again.”
Kim Taehyung
(Taehyung sighed and said in a gloomy voice) “It’s true. In my dream, I saw that I’d made our whole family bankrupt and all of us were squeezed into a tiny apartment, suffering.”
Kim go-eun (Ma)
(Ma burst out chuckling with an audible “pfft” and patted him on the shoulder, ) “Hahaha, oh my little baby, how could you be so cute? How would you make our whole family bankrupt? With what talent?”
Taehyung’s face went blank.
Ji-eun lightly coughed.
Kim go-eun (Ma)
(Ma instantly tucked away her smile, cleared her throat and said) “Tae, it must be because you’re not feeling well these few days. That’s why you keep having such lucid dreams. Don’t think on it. If you’re bored, make your sister take you out to play.”
Kim Taehyung
(Taehyung meekly replied) “Ma, Sis is very busy and I’m not a child anymore. Do I need an adult whenever I want to leave the house?”
His sister should be deeply in love with Jeon jungkook right now. It’s the time where they can’t bear to be apart at all, yet his sister didn’t go into the office or on a date and wait at home for him to wake up just because his feelings were all over the place. One can see how deep her love for Taehyung was.
Kim Taehyung
(Why did he not know to treasure it before? Why did he push such a great sister further and further away? When he died, it had gone to the point where his sister wasn’t willing to talk to him at all.)
Kim ji-eun
“If you want me to accompany you, it’s no big deal if I delay things for a day,”
Kim go-eun (Ma)
“See, your sister says it’s fine.”
Kim Taehyung
“There’s no need. I’ll go out for a walk later myself. If Sis has something on, you can go ahead"
The elderly patriarch of the kim family, Kim hyun bin, founded the company from nothing when he was young and created the kim group by himself. When Grandmother passed away, Grandfather was already quite old, so he threw the business at Pa, Kim Yoo, and bought a mansion in a quiet area to retire in. Kim Yoo did not disappoint.
In the years since he’d taken over the kim group, the company was stable, and all their projects were well-managed and successful. Big Bro, Kim Yoongi, had even entered the company at a young age to help their father and prepare for his eventual succession.
Ji-eun also worked in the kim group. Don’t underestimate her just because she’s a girl. Most men aren’t even as talented and decisive as her. She’d climbed to the high ranks of the company with her own strength. Undoubtedly, she’s what they call a “New Woman”
Kim Ji-eun was known to be a strong, independent woman, Kim Taehyung was her opposite.
Because he wasn’t that healthy as a child, everyone in his family loved him to pieces. Ma in particular felt that she owed him and loathed that she couldn’t give him the stars when all he asked for was the moon. When he was in primary school, he’d be admitted into the hospital every few days, so his results weren’t that great.
Later, when he grew up and didn’t fell sick that often, his results still floated about the average because his basics weren’t strong. His family didn’t force him to get better either, so he never once experienced the burden and pain of studying. He then played around until he graduated university.
Ma doted her son, so she wasn’t willing to let him join the company and enter a lifestyle of working 9 to 5 so young. She wanted him to live a carefree life for several years before deciding what he wanted to do. After all, even if he did nothing, he could live a happy life as a rich child.
That’s why Taehyung was now the textbook case of a NEET (Not in Employment, Education and Training). Having learned from his past life, he now understood no one in this world needed to treat him kindly.
Before accepting the kindness others gave to him, he should feel grateful and pay it back. Only then would the relationship last.
It’s just a pity he understood it too late. His family’s and Jeon jungkook’s love for him had already been hulled out by his unruly actions. When he woke up to it all, there was no turning back. Now, a rare chance to be reborn was here. How could he selfishly let his family spoil him?
Ma saw how insistent he was on not letting his sister skip work for him and so let it go.
Kim ji-eun
(Ji-eun carefully observed Taehyung. It was only after confirming he wasn’t just bearing with it that she picked up her bag and rose) “Ma, Lil Bro, I’ll head off to work then. There’re still a few things to do today.”
Kim Taehyung
(Taehyung hurriedly made a shooing gesture) “Then hurry and go. Drive safely.”
Ma nodded as well. Ji-eun however gave another questioning glance at Taehyung.
Kim ji-eun
(How weird it was that this brother who’d always acted selfishly to care about her. Even so, the feeling’s great! As she walked to the garage and drove to work, and even when she was there, her lips never dropped from the smile it formed.)
At home, Mrs Zhang served up Taehyung’s breakfast (lunch?) while Ma began pushing her youngest son to the table. She personally served Taehyung a bowl of prawn congee and pushed over some, crystal dumplings, and all sorts of delicious side dishes.
Kim go-eun (Ma)
“Tae, you woke up so late today. You must be starving. Eat some first. Wait until lunch, then you can have a good meal.” (As she said so, she turned to look at Mrs Zhang.) “Make tonight’s dinner more lavish with more meat and vegetables. It must be extremely nutritious, Mrs Zhang. Tae’s too thin. His emotions have also been very unstable lately, so he needs to replenish.”
Mrs. Yang (helper)
(Her gaze directed at Taehyung was both doting and upset as well. This dainty young man was the kim family’s heart and soul. She herself doted on him too.)
Taehyung stared at the delicate cutlery and tasty prawn congee before him, his mind a mess.
Everything from before was still flashing through his mind and the pain of his bone shattering was still carved into his body. But after one night’s sleep, he’s now sitting in this warm and inviting home again, eating congee under his mother’s gentle gaze.
Kim Taehyung
(Everything felt like a dream. Was all that had happened just a cruel and painful nightmare or was this all a beautiful dream created because he couldn’t bear the pain anymore?)
Kim Taehyung
(His emotions tumbled all over the place. No. What happened before was definitely not a dream. He could remember everything that had happened clearly. His broken leg, shattered fingers. Even the sounds of the gunshot which took away his life seemed to be ringing in his ears now. Everything was real. They could never be a dream!)
Kim Taehyung
(But now…He froze up. He stretched out his hand and firmly pinched himself on the thigh. Pain pulsated through him. In an instant, his eyes reddened. It wasn’t out of pain but of happiness. Pain as sharp as this meant this was all real. He’d really been reborn. The gods had granted him another chance! If this was really just a dream, then let him drown in it and never to wake up.)
Kim go-eun (Ma)
(Ma saw her own son doltishly daydreamed while staring his bowl of congee then fiercely pinched himself. She couldn’t stop him in time. She was so angry that she could beat this worrisome child, yet she couldn’t bear to be so. All she could do was go on muttering) “What’s wrong with you, child? Eat your breakfast. Why did you have to pinch yourself? And so strongly at that! It’s going to bruise! You’re really worrisome!”
Kim Taehyung
(Taehyung listened on at what he once thought of as troublesome nagging. It now filled his whole body with warmth. At last he couldn’t hold it in anymore and raised his head) “Ma, you’re the best.”
Kim go-eun (Ma)
(Ma blushed. She could only retort) “Do you think I’d let you go with just a few compliments? Hmph.” (Saying so, she reached out as if to snatch away the bowl of congee in front of him.)
Kim Taehyung
(Taehyung stopped her) “Why?”
Kim go-eun (Ma)
“You must eat the prawn congee while it’s hot or it’ll taste fishy. It’s already cold. I’ll go get you another bowl.”
Kim Taehyung
“It’s fine. It’s still warm. Don’t waste it. It’s delicious.”
Kim Taehyung
(As he said so, he took another bite of it. The congee’s fragrance burst in his mouth. He happily closed his eyes. How long has it been since he had such tasty food?)
Kim Taehyung
(When he was working at the cafe, he could only bear to eat the cheapest fast food boxed meal. He’d wolf it down so as to avoid delaying his work before running back to the shop.
When he first started out, he couldn’t even swallow the food down. He felt that it wasn’t something humans can eat. But what that proverb said was correct. All bad habits were created through overindulgence.
When one is so hungry that they could faint, there’s no room for picky eating. Even food cooked with black, recycled oil tasted delicious. This bowl of porridge was only somewhat cold. It was still a thousand times better than all the stuff he’d eaten before.)
Ma and Aunt Yang looked at each other and saw their surprise reflecting in the other’s eyes. Kim Taehyung grew up being adored and doted on by everyone. He hated powdered stock in his food and food not being cooked thoroughly. He was the pickiest eater ever.
Usually, he’d refuse any food that was lacking, even if it was the slightest of all issues. Just what was up with him today?
After brunch, Taehyung was driven out of the mansion by Lil Zheng, the driver, under Ma’s worrying gaze. Taehyung knew how to drive but he’d normally be driven around by the driver as his family insisted he was still too young.
It’s extremely dangerous for him to drive alone. To this, the 24-years-old Kim Taehyung could do nothing but be speechless.
As she watched the car Taehyung was in drive out the gate, Ma thought through her youngest son’s unusual behaviour today and summoned a bodyguard.
Kim go-eun (Ma)
“Bring two other guards with you and follow him. Protect him but don’t let him discover you’re there.”
Taehyung told Lil Zheng to just drive aimlessly around the city. As he gazed out at the speeding past skyscrapers, a hundred different things sped through his mind. This city was the place he grew up in and the place where he died in bitter pain. His past short lifespan was spent in this city. He knew this place. He loved this place. He will be buried here in this life. This was his home.
Kim Taehyung
(It soon became noon. As they passed by a suburb still under construction, Taehyung spoke to Lil Zheng,) “Let me out here. You go find somewhere to have lunch. I want to have a walk. Once you’re done, come back for me.”
Lil zheng (driver)
(Lil Zheng disagreed) “There’s quite a lot of construction going on here. It’ll be full of dust. Sir, if you wish to take a walk, why must it be here? I can’t just leave you alone and have lunch myself either. What would you like to eat?”
Kim Taehyung
(Taehyung considered the other’s words for a moment.) “Then drop me off somewhere in front. I ate quite late this morning. I’m not hungry yet. If I am, I’ll go find some food myself. Unless you think I’m a child who doesn’t know when to eat as well?”
Lil zheng (driver)
(Lil Zheng felt a chill rushing down his spine. Everyone knew that the Little Master of the kim family was the family’s precious baby. He’s been spoilt to the core. If he expressed his discontent about Lil Zheng later on, this high-paying job would vanish. The Little Master was already an adult. Most young ones were capable of independence. Only the kim family still treated him like a little baby who needed to be taken care of at all times.)
Lil zheng (driver)
(Lil Zheng’s mind whirled round and round but his mouth merely replied)“Okay. Sir, there’s a street ahead you can explore ahead. I’ll come back for you in a while.”
Taehyung nodded. As the car slowly stopped, he got out.
Lil Zheng stared at his back and thought, The saying was right. You can be in the same situation but your life can be totally different. Most people at this age would be working hard to forge their own way but this Little Master kim was born with a golden spoon in his mouth. Even if he lazed about his whole life, he’d live a carefree and lavish life. Just living off the dividends would guarantee a life of luxury. Even if the kim family’s attitude to him was ignored, just a tiny bit of those dividends was enough to let him live his whole life without working. He was born in riches and could live a life without worry, yet he’s always throwing tantrums. Lil Zheng really didn’t understand what he could be unhappy about.
Lil Zheng shook his head and sighed. Just drive. Stop thinking about it. This birth was gotten through skill and not something that can be gotten through envy.
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