<CHAPTER 09>

I Thought I Was a Genius Relic Appraiser,

Shin A-young’s breath came in steady rhythm on the treadmill.

The private training room offered an unobstructed view of the downtown skyline through the floor-to-ceiling windows. A large TV and several smaller monitors hung on one wall, while news from the stock market flowed through her AirPods.

[…The Nasdaq closed up 1.2% from the previous day, with Nvidia hitting a new all-time high. The domestic stock market also rose on the back of strong foreign buying…]

Shin A-young’s gaze settled on the tablet screen mounted in front of the treadmill. Real-time stock charts flickered with movement.

Then a familiar face appeared on the news playing across the wall monitors.

She pressed the stop button on the treadmill, and it gradually slowed. Catching her breath, she stared at the screen.

‘That man…’

A large photo of a man dominated the news broadcast. He wore a refreshing smile, his features clean and open. Below the image, the name ‘Kim Si-woo’ appeared.

The same man who had sold her the vase and discovered Katō Kiyomasa’s sword—a find that even renowned industry appraisers had missed.

Shin A-young pulled out her AirPods and turned up the volume.

[…A large quantity of relics related to the independence movement during the Japanese colonial period has been discovered in an abandoned house in Yeongju, Gyeongsangbuk-do. The owner of these relics, Kim Hak-jun, worked domestically as a fundraiser for the independence army…]

The Yeongju relics. She already knew about them. The industry had been buzzing with rumors long before the news broke. As a gallery operator, there was no way it wouldn’t have reached Shin A-young’s ears.

[A Ministry of Patriots and Veterans Affairs official stated that this case is highly unusual given that it resulted from an individual’s discovery.]

She wiped sweat with a towel. Her skin, flushed from exercise, glistened with beads of perspiration under the lights. She untied her ponytail, letting long hair cascade over her shoulders.

The image of Si-woo refusing her scouting offer at the gallery came to mind.

She had a personal creed: never regret past decisions. But this time, she did. The more unattainable something became, the more people craved it. Human nature didn’t change when the object was a person.

That day had arrived.

The donation ceremony at the Independence Hall of Korea—a government-organized event hosted by the Ministry of Patriots and Veterans Affairs.

The previous evening, Madam Gong had come up to Seoul.

Ding-dong.

The moment the doorbell rang, Shin A-young opened it.

“Madam Gong, you’re here.”

“Yeah, I’m here, you rascal.”

Madam Gong entered, pulling her carry-on suitcase.

“You should have told me you were bringing this. I would have waited downstairs to help.”

“Don’t trouble yourself. I took a taxi, so it’s fine.”

Her eyes narrowed as she surveyed the apartment. “Why is it so dark in here? Open the curtains.”

“I just had them open.”

“Still, you need to air the place out. The air feels stuffy.”

Madam Gong opened a window, then headed straight for the refrigerator. She opened the door, rummaged inside, and let out a sigh.

“Oh my, what is this?”

A few instant rice cups, two cup noodles, and some side dishes from a banchan shop—namul and other greens. That was it. Even those looked dangerously close to their expiration dates.

“You’ve been eating like this?”

“No, Madam Gong, this is actually eating well.”

“This is eating well?”

She had her excuses. She never ate breakfast, took care of lunch at the office, and working overtime had become routine thanks to Manager Kang. Dinner came from places near the company too. There was no point in preparing side dishes. Whatever she cooked would just spoil before she could eat it.

Madam Gong closed the refrigerator door, shaking her head.

“Sigh, so that’s why you’ve lost weight. Why are your cheeks so hollow, son?”

“I’ve always been like this.”

“No. You can’t fool a mother’s eyes. It’s because you don’t eat properly.”

She opened her carry-on. Container after container of side dishes emerged.

“I brought braised short ribs and japchae. Plus kimchi, stir-fried anchovies, rolled omelet, and various other side dishes. Make sure to eat them.”

“Madam Gong, you carried all this?”

“Of course. Would I let my son starve?”

Madam Gong went to the kitchen and started cooking rice.

“You need to eat heartily before tomorrow’s event. Sit down.”

“I’ll do it.”

“That’s alright. Stay put.”

The table was set. Eating homemade food for the first time in ages warmed her from the inside.

“The galbi is really delicious. Madam Gong’s skills deserve recognition.”

“Really? Then eat more.”

Madam Gong piled more braised ribs into her bowl.

“What time do we need to leave tomorrow?”

“We should go early. I made a dawn appointment at a Cheongdam-dong hair salon. We’re going together.”

“Cheongdam-dong? Isn’t that where celebrities go?”

“Yes, and we’re appearing on broadcast TV tomorrow. You need to look beautiful too, Madam Gong.”

“Oh, I’m fine. The neighborhood salon is enough.”

“I already made the reservation, so there’s no backing out. I’m receiving a commendation from the Prime Minister—this is the least I can do for you. It’s filial piety, pure filial piety.”

“I heard those places are incredibly expensive…”

“I’m getting 100 million won in compensation. Don’t worry about it.”

Madam Gong set down her chopsticks and looked at Si-woo.

“Is it really 100 million?”

“Yes. It’s the legal maximum as compensation for finding the items.”

“My, to receive such a large sum. What a grateful thing. When a child offers filial devotion, this is when you accept it.”

“Of course.”

Madam Gong’s eyes grew moist.

The next morning, Si-woo took Madam Gong to Cheongdam-dong.

The hair salon was as glamorous as expected. The interior featured subtle lighting and sophisticated decor.

Madam Gong looked around curiously.

“Oh my, Si-woo, this place is really nice. It feels like celebrities would come here.”

“Real celebrities do come here. Did you think I’d pick just anywhere, Madam Gong?”

A staff member approached them politely.

“Are you the guests with the reservation? Mr. Kim Si-woo?”

“Yes, that’s correct.”

“This way, please. The director will handle you personally.”

“Yes. I heard the director is taking care of us specially this time. Hoho.”

They sat side by side in front of the mirrors.

Some time later, the director approached. She appeared to be in her mid-forties, a refined woman.

“Hello. I’m Director Lee Soo-jin, in charge today.”

“Ah, yes. Hello.”

“You’re Mr. Si-woo, correct? You’re much more handsome than in the photos. I saw you on the news a lot. The one who said, ‘Because it’s not my item,’ right?”

She hadn’t expected to hear that here. The impact was lasting longer than anticipated.

“Ah, yes… that’s me.”

“You looked impressive. Really, you accomplished something remarkable. Compared to my son who just loafs around at home…”

Lee Soo-jin smiled at Madam Gong.

“You’re his mother, correct? I heard your son is receiving a commendation from the Prime Minister.”

Madam Gong smiled awkwardly.

“Yes, so they say.”

Once seated, the director examined Madam Gong’s hair.

“Mother, you have good hair quality. You don’t need to dye it. I’ll give you volume and style it elegantly.”

“I don’t really know about these things… please do as you see fit.”

“Don’t worry. You’re attending a national event, after all. I’ll take proper care of you.”

The director smiled confidently. Madam Gong chuckled softly, looking at the mirror.

“Thank you. I’ve never been to a place like this before.”

“Please make yourself comfortable. The makeup artist will arrive shortly.”

A short while later, the makeup artist arrived—a neat woman who appeared to be in her early thirties.

“Hello. I’m Park So-yeon, in charge of makeup.”

“Please take good care of us.”

Park So-yeon examined Madam Gong’s skin, then glanced at Si-woo.

“Oh, is this your son? He’s handsome.”

“Isn’t he? Our son is good-looking, right?”

Madam Gong answered with enthusiasm.

“I saw him on the news. The photos. He looks much better in person.”

“Isn’t he? Even I think our son looks better in real life.”

“Madam Gong, please…”

Si-woo waved his hands in embarrassment, but Madam Gong paid no attention.

“You have good skin too, Mother. I think the makeup will take well.”

“Oh, at this age, what are you talking about…”

“I’m serious. I’ll make you look ten years younger.”

Si-woo hadn’t noticed time passing while getting his hair done. He had tossed and turned all night from nerves, unable to sleep properly. He woke to a voice speaking.

“There. All finished.”

Checking the clock, he saw considerable time had passed, but he was shocked at the result.

Was this the power of makeup? He looked like a completely different person from before. Truly, professionals were different.

Madam Gong, seated beside him, also kept admiring herself in the mirror.

Her hair styled neatly upward, subtle makeup applied—she looked remarkably more vibrant.

No wonder celebrities had their hair and makeup done at salons.

“Oh my, is this me? I really look different.”

“You were always beautiful, Mother. We just refined it a bit.”

At the director’s words, Madam Gong waved her hands.

“It’s completely different from the neighborhood salon. Hoho.”

“We put a lot of effort into this one.”

“Thanks to my son, I get to experience a place like this. I’m so grateful.”

“Take lots of photos after today’s event. You’ll come out really beautifully.”

“Our son takes after someone, he’s so handsome.”

Madam Gong beamed with pride.

He found it slightly embarrassing, yet felt a surge of satisfaction at the same time.

When he’d worked at the company, he couldn’t even contact her properly. Now he finally felt like he was doing the filial duty he had neglected.

When they arrived at the Independence Hall, it was already bustling with reporters, officials, and various dignitaries. Si-woo took Madam Gong’s hand and entered.

“Si-woo!”

A familiar voice called out.

It was Attorney Kim Young-soo.

He wore a neat suit with a mugunghwa badge pinned to his chest.

Beside him stood a woman in her sixties with an elegant bearing—wearing a black hanbok jeogori with a grayish-blue skirt.

“Representative, hello.”

He then introduced Madam Gong beside him.

“This is my mother, Madam Gong In-sook. And this is Representative Kim Young-soo of Kim Young-soo Law Office. He’s the great-grandson of Kim Hak-jun, the owner of the relics.”

“Ah, so this is her. Hello.”

As Madam Gong greeted him, Kim Young-soo quickly grasped her hand with both of his.

“You raised your son to be so outstanding. If it weren’t for Si-woo, my great-grandfather’s relics might have been lost forever.”

“I really didn’t do anything.”

“That’s not true. Without a mother, there is no Si-woo.”

Kim Young-soo introduced the woman standing before them.

“This is my older sister, Kim Young-hee.”

Kim Myoung-hee approached Madam Gong.

“Thank you. Thanks to your son, my great-grandfather is finally receiving recognition.”

“Oh, what are you saying…”

Madam Gong replied shyly.

“We heard about our great-grandfather’s independence activities until our ears grew calluses as children. Father would always tell us the same stories, sitting us down before the drink table.”

Kim Young-hee’s eyes reddened.

“But we had no proof… so we couldn’t tell the world. That was our family’s sorrow.”

“I see.”

“Father used to say that often when he was alive. That his greatest unfilial act was failing to make Grandfather’s name known to the world while he lived…”

Her voice trembled thinly.

Kim Young-soo quietly placed a hand on his sister’s shoulder.

“Today is a good day when Great-grandfather’s merits are being recognized. You should smile.”

Kim Young-hee took a handkerchief from her handbag and dabbed her eyes.

“I must tell Father at his grave. That he’s finally been recognized, that Great-grandfather remains in history as an independence activist.”

Before she knew it, Madam Gong’s eyes had grown teary as well.

“I don’t know how to thank your son. Honestly, when Young-soo first told me about the phone call, I was suspicious.”

“You’re not the only one, Sister. I didn’t believe it at first either. Suddenly getting a call from a young man I didn’t know, saying he found Great-grandfather’s relics…”

Kim Young-hee looked at Si-woo.

“Usually when someone makes such a precious discovery, they keep it for themselves. Since no one knew about it, you could have put it up for auction…”

“No.”

“We all cried watching you on the news saying ‘Because it’s not my item.’ To think such a young man truly existed.”

Madam Gong waved her hands.

“No, I just fed the child. His father passed early, and I raised him alone. I couldn’t do anything properly for him.”

Kim Myoung-hee held Madam Gong’s hand even tighter.

“You raised him splendidly on your own. That’s truly remarkable.”

“It’s nothing…”

“Look at your son and you’ll understand how he was raised. Where else would such an upright young man come from? It’s all thanks to his mother.”

Madam Gong wiped her tears with her sleeve.

Si-woo quietly approached his mother and took her arm.

“Madam Gong, if you cry, your makeup will run.”

“You rascal…”